THE RETURN OF MILITANCY TO NIGER-DELTA

 

The question about minority groups has been one that Nigeria seems not to have properly answered, more so, about how oil-producing states benefit from the wealth they create for the Nigerian state... 

Lagos state on Monday, May 16, was declared an oil-producing state, following the discovery of oil in Badagry by a private investment company, and the Governor's emphasis was on the benefit of the discovery for the state; enjoyment of the 13% derivation principle, very little was said about how to ensure that this recent discovery doesn't become a challenge for citizens, especially Lagosians and their environment, when production expands beyond the already stated 10,000 - 12,000 barrels per day.

 

No doubt, research and experience have shown that the communities in the Niger-Delta may have been better off without the discovery of oil, as to some of them, this discovery has been more of a curse than a blessing, and the reason isn't far-fetched. The amnesty policy initiative of the Late President Yar'Adua and Jonathan administration helped to mitigate militancy in the last half a decade or so, and several people feared a 'return of militancy' especially doubting the efficiency of Demobilization, Disarmament and Reintegration (DDR) of ex-militants.

Here we are! Several facilities belonging to Chevron have been blown up in the last two weeks, and we fear that the militants are back to the creeks... Quite unfortunate! But here is my position...

First, the treatment of militants as Boko Haram which the President hinted, doesn't sound a wise decision. We already have a 'monster in the kitchen', which we are trying to get rid of, and which is costing so much resources (human, material and financial), it is not wise to create another 'monster in the kitchen'. Diplomacy seems a viable route, especially in the wake of the current economic situation...

 

Secondly, the militant must also understand that, like the English man says, two wrongs don't make a right. We mustn't loose sight of the essence of the Niger-Delta agitation; the issue isn't so much about oil production, but about a society that seems to have been ill-treated and neglected from democratic dividends. Niger-Deltans and their militant groups, should continue to diplomatically press for recognition, using instruments like the media (which has become increasingly available).

Although diplomacy seems to be slow and inefficient, it becomes the most essential tool in the long run, especially since development is also consolidated within the period. 

So, let's SPEAK UP AND SHOW UP, not BLOW UP!