PRESS RELEASE

Friday July 24, 2009.

THE THREAT BY S’SOUTH GOVERNORS TO PULL OUT OF AMNESTY DEAL

All the Governors of the six South-South States of Nigeria that constitute the Niger Delta have threatened to pull out of the Federal Government’s Amnesty deal for the militants of the beleaguered region as announced by Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River on Thursday after their meeting in Asaba, Delta State.

“We applaud the decision of the South-South Governors for pulling out of the deal as we agree with them that it does not address the fundamental reasons why the militancy arose in the first instance. We strongly suspect the intention of the Federal Government because, it announced amnesty after a military operation which saw the wiping out of Gbaramatu community where over one thousand women and children were rendered homeless,’ says Executive Director of the Benin City based Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Rev. David Ugolor.

‘Their decision is a further demonstration of the patriotism of the governors who are all aware of the plight of the citizens they govern over the years in the hands of unwholesome multinational oil companies operating in the region in active collaboration of the Federal Government over the years,’ Ugolor asserts.

‘The entire Ministry of Niger Delta was allotted N50billion this year for capital development whereas the same Federal Government approved N60 billion for only the upgrading of the Abuja Airport Road. This is ridiculous and a clear testimony of the Federal Government’s unserious attitude towards resolving the Niger Delta question. The challenge of the Niger Delta is not a crayfish business’ ANEEJ Executive Director adds, pointing that the Federal Government Amnesty deal is a ruse after all.

‘We urge the Federal Government to take a progressive step in resolving the lingering Niger Delta phenomenon and vote sufficient resources from the region’s oil wealth to address the development challenges facing the South-South States and anything short of that amounts to papering the cracks.’ Ugolor emphasized.

‘Furthermore, the plan to move the Petroleum University to Kaduna instead of locating it in the Niger Delta amounts to pouring petrol to a conflagration and we urge the Federal Government to reverse that decision immediately in the interest of peace that it claims to be pursuing in the Niger Delta under its sever-point agenda.’ ANEEJ Boss says.

‘However, we like to caution the South-South Governors on their resolve to kick against the Petroleum Industry Bill which in our view holds out some positive aspects for the reform of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria so as not to throw away the baby and the bath water. What the Governors should press for is that the proposed law must accommodate the concerns, wishes and aspirations of oil-bearing communities as contained in the initial Bill prepared by the OGIC set up by the same Yar’Adua administration which was withdrawn by those who don’t wish Nigeria well.’ Ugolor Said.