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‘FG insincere about Niger Delta problems’

By Sam Oluwalana
16 November 2016   |   3:30 am
He advised managements of major oil companies threatening to shut down their operations because of incessant vandalisation of facilities to explore other avenues to resolve the crisis.
 Charles Alabo Harris

Charles Alabo Harris

Rather than embarking on what it termed “ad-hoc arrangements” to solve the myriads of problems facing the Niger Delta region and their negative effects on the Nigerian economy, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) has called on the Federal Government to introduce “more robust, permanent and sustainable solutions that can stand the vicissitudes of time.”

Newly elected president of the INC, Charles Alabo Harris, who disclosed this to The Guardian during an interview session, said it is time for government to take far-reaching measures in the restive Niger Delta region to remove the major bottlenecks against the growth of national economy.

He spoke on the recent pledge by President Muhammadu Buhari to inject a $10 billion investment fund in the saying, “We are cautiously elated and about it and we see it is a welcome development and palliative to the unfortunate developmental deficit in the Niger Delta. The details are still very sketchy but thus far some of the pronouncements on it by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources are cheering while others clearly depict that the processes are not yet well taught out or a sustainable plan in place.

“I am however, perturbed that this announcement preceded the meeting with the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF). It goes to show that a holistic approach is yet to evolve in government actions and therefore the INC will adopt a wait and see approach before commenting conclusively on this new initiative. However government should move away from ad-hoc measures to more robust permanent and sustainable solutions that can stand the vicissitudes of time.”

The INC leader also commented on the deployment of troops to quell armed militancy in the region and offered solutions saying, “The issue of violent agitation in the Niger Delta leading to the destruction of oil and gas facilities is regrettable especially considering the environmental degradation it portends but a military solution can only exacerbate the problem. I believe a peaceful resolution that is sustainable should be explored.

“The best solution would be to treat the causative factors rather than dealing with the resultant effects. I don’t even understand the need for any new dialogue, there is nothing about the fundamental issues in the Niger Delta that had not been previously captured from the Willinks report through the Ogomudia report, the Ledum Mitee technical committee to the last Constitutional Conference. What is missing and had always been missing, is the political will to implement them.”

He advised managements of major oil companies threatening to shut down their operations because of incessant vandalisation of facilities to explore other avenues to resolve the crisis.

His words: “I would like to believe that oil majors are in the region because it is profitable for them to be here and a decision of such magnitude to unilaterally shut down their facilities would not be taken carelessly. However we would implore them to exercise restraint and not make any hasty decisions in the light of ongoing attempts at a resolution. They should also be diligent enough to approach the INC to discuss their challenges and we believe together we can resolve whatever problems they may have.”

On the rejection by some Niger Delta groups of the nomination of some leaders like former Federal Information Commissioner, Chief Edwin Clark as part of the team to dialogue with the Federal Government, Harry said the leaders of the region should not be denigrated in any way.

He said, “I have had cause before to say that Chief E.K Clark and other respected elders and leaders of the region should not be denigrated in any form or manner but revered for their untiring efforts whether we completely agree with their strategy and tactics or not.

“Though I cannot speak for those making the calls and would not join issues with them, I don’t subscribe, as said earlier, that the solution is negotiations but sincere implementation. PANDEF is a laudable initiative, but personally, I think it is being encouraged as a delay tactics by government to consolidate on the perceived military option.

“On the issue of who should represent the region and the obvious non-inclusion of the constituted leadership of the ethnic nationalities, regrettable as may seem, is a non-issue since we should be clamouring for implementation rather than negotiation.”

Giving an overview of Nigeria’s current economic situation, the INC leaders said, “That the economic policies of this administration leave much more to be desired needs no gainsaying. We are in a recession praying not to descend into a depression; there is palpable hunger in the land; unemployment and retrenchment is at an alarming rate; prices of all basic necessities of life skyrocketing – fuel, electricity, transportation, food etc; hyper-inflation, interest and exchange rate instability; manufacturing, industrial and commercial shut-downs and flight, what sector has not been affected or that is not in the throes of decay?

“The administration urgently needs to review its economy policy and revamp the economic team. The anti-corruption crusade had not fared much better considering that it had been mired in too many controversies and seen as selective and vindictive. The penchant by the agencies for Gestapo approach and trial by public opprobrium before thorough investigation, in the media, has become counter productive and a source of serious concern to even the most ardent supporters of the campaign.

“The only area some kudos can be adduced is security, even at that, the discordant tunes and uncoordinated pronouncements by various agencies and their leaderships tends to sully the broth and leaves many unable to discern or comprehend the actual intentions of government. This obviously leads to unnecessary speculation and gives mischief-makers room to adumbrate.

“The administration must understand and appreciate that governance and politics is based on perception and I dare say that the Public Perception Index (PPI) and Positive Visibility Rating (PVR) of this administration, at this point in time, is abysmally low.”

He said the lack of diligence in the prosecution of the anti-graft war was responsible for the travails of former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan and repentant militant, Government Ekpemuopolo alias Tompolo, both of Ijaw extraction.

He said, “I am not too conversant with all the issues at play in the Tompolo saga, but at the same time from all I have been privileged to read in the papers I think there is some untidiness in all of it. I am not in support of anyone being hounded, let alone an Ijaw. If the issue is on the land sold for the Maritime University, then I cannot see his crime.

“A seller offers his property for sale at a price, it is within the purview of the buyer to either accept or reject, this is elementary economics. Mr. A might see consideration at X amount and Mr. B at Y that does not criminalize the seller. Even at that if the Government believes that the amount paid is too exorbitant they can renegotiate at the sufferance of the seller. It would be altogether better and in everyone’s interest to reach a negotiated settlement with Tompolo than to hound him.”

On Mrs. Jonathan he said, “I have answered this question severally and despite the passage of time and all other innuendos surreptitiously adduced, my position has not changed and cannot change because the premise on which I based my objections are unchanged and immutable. It is my considered opinion that the vilification of the erstwhile first family via a public/media trial, for whatever reason, before proper investigation and a prima facie case has been established is unconscionable, deplorable and intolerable.

“As a matter of fact it demeans the office of Presidency and ought to have ordinarily been handled more discreetly and honourably. It is a pity that in other to achieve cheap political points, we are desecrating institutions, by ill-conceived actions that portend our nation international opprobrium and disdain.”

Asked whether indicted occupants of high offices should be insulated from corruption trials, Harry said there should be nothing of such as “the civilized world and our constitution postulate that no one can be presumed guilty until proven beyond reasonable doubt by a competent court of jurisdiction.

“I am also of the view that irreparable damage may and can be done to the image and standing of a country and its people when sensitive issues are irresponsibly bandied in the public domain without consideration of the implications and repercussions to the greater good.

“Yes, I support the on-going war against corruption but I have my reservations on the methodology and seeming over-zealousness without thought of the unintended fallouts misadventure may cause our collective esteem. No reasonable man washes his dirty linen in public. Same results can be better achieved with circumspection and decorum.”

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