UNDEDSS denies government, militants’ talks

The United Niger Delta Energy Development Security Strategy (UNDEDSS) has denied any ongoing dialogue between any of the Niger Delta militants and the Federal Government.

In a statement, UNDEDSS Secretary General, Mr. Tony Uranta said it noted with dismay, the insistence by some spokesmen of the government that dialogue is already ongoing with the real militants of the Niger Delta, this is as the Niger Delta Avengers also denied having any dialogue with the government.

According to Uranta, “We hope the government is not being fooled by fraudsters, scoundrels and impostors, because UNDEDSS can affirm, unequivocally that whilst attempts are being robustly made to open negotiation channels, no dialogue has truly commenced between the government and armed actors, like the Niger Delta Avengers.

“The Presidency is well aware of the conditions that these key players’ regard as prerequisite to dialogue. They are calling on Mr. President, himself, to directly assure the nation that the National Maritime University remains on course; that he has appointed a Special Adviser on Niger Delta Affairs to drive the 2009 Yar’ Adua template, which had five sub-committees headed by the Ministers of Petroleum and Works, amongst others; that safe passage will be guaranteed all delegates to the proposed Niger Delta peace and prosperity talks, which Mr. President would convene as soon as all parties are agreed; and, that relevant International Diplomats would be present at the said talks.”

He added that considering how critically important resolving this Niger Delta crisis is to the nation’s peace and co-existence, security and economic stability, UNDEDSS is dismayed at the continuing treatment of the current realities as just another opportunity to grandstand and indulge in vain anti-people one-upmanship propaganda stunts.