NIPR tasks Niger Delta governors on insecurity, economy

Rivers State chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has charged governors in the Niger Delta to work together and remain consistent in their efforts and decisions to tackle insecurity and build a formidable economy for the region.

The institute gave the charge at its stakeholders’ roundtable on the future of the Niger Delta over the current security situation in the country.

Chairman of NIPR in the state, Paulinus Nsirim, said the meeting was imperative to set an agenda that would drive the discourse on insecurity in the country and especially the Niger Delta zone.

Nsirim also tasked the media to join hands in building a Niger Delta region and Nigerian of their dreams, saying: “This is the time for every patriotic citizen to rise up and defend the collective interest of this country. If we all rise up, we will have a better Niger Delta.”

Also speaking, keynote speaker, Amaopusenibo Sofiri Brown, lamented that Nigeria was at war with itself, citing insecurity issues ranging from armed robbery, kidnapping, banditry, cult wars, terrorism, herdsmen militia, piracy and gangs fighting to control territories that have solid minerals deposit.

Brown, who said everybody was susceptible to insecurity situation as governors have been helpless, recommended community management approach to effectively tackle the menace, with emphasis on intelligence sharing.

“The Federal Government appears not to have coherent report on the country’s security needs. There is a lack of regular updates from security agencies on what they are doing on specific security issues.”

“Governors and political leaders must swallow their pride and work together to build a formidable economy for the region that will earn us respect. They should also collaborate to secure and defend the region, as well as ensure that criminal elements do not overrun the Niger Delta,” he added.