Niger Delta: Experts raise alarm over possible territorial threat

They said that the amnesty programme granted to the agitators in the region to buy time or peace was not sustainable, as peace will not be bought with money instead with an establishment of sustainable peace by developing a comprehensive strategy.

These views were expressed in Abuja at a workshop with the theme “Instability in the Nigeria’s Niger Delta: The Post Amnesty Programme and Sustainable Peace Building” organised by Peace and Security Centre of Competence Sub Saharan Africa, an office of Friedrich Ebert Stiftung.

Speaking at the workshop, Director of Peace and Security Centre of Competence Sub Saharan Africa, said that the discovery of oil in Niger Delta has brought misfortune to the region instead of the expected happiness. According to him, “Unfortunately, the presence of oil in Nigeria did not mean happiness for all. The Niger Delta in Southern Nigeria has been undergoing a crisis since the 90’s. Despite repeated attempts by the Federal Government to repeal the conflict, violence continues to persist.

“A comprehensive strategy to also address the underlying problems such as poverty, lacking economic perspective for the youth and generally difficult living conditions especially in some parts of the region due to environmental pollution is missing up today”.

Source: Vanguard vol.25: N°. 63398