NIGER DELTA PEACE PROPOSAL
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Nigeria is the largest producer of crude oil in Africa and the eight largest producers in the World. The Niger Delta region is the main oil producing area and thereby account for 98% of the nation’s crude oil production which has made them the main revenue-generating region in the country.
The Niger Delta region comprises of 9 states with more than a population of 45 million people. There are 40 ethnic groups speaking 250 dialects spreading across 5,000 communities. The Niger Delta is Nigeria’s least developed region and the World Bank puts it’s per capital income at below $280 despites its high population. The people live on less than $1 dollar per day which is a measure of absolute poverty.
EMERGENCE OF MILITANCY
With more than 50 years of Oil exploration and $450 billion net profit from Oil sales, the people still lack basic fundamental development. This criminal neglect of the people by the government of Nigeria has now given rise to the emergence of many militant groups. The most popular of them is the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND).
This group was formed in 2006 and has been involved in the kidnapping of many foreign oil workers in the region. They have also claimed responsibility of the destruction of many oil installations and pipelines. These groups are armed with sophisticated weapons and good organization. Many pundits are still troubled about the source of their finance. Their mastery of the creeks has made them elusive to the government military forces protecting the region.
EFFECT OF THE MILITANCY
The political instability of the region has led to the drop of Nigeria oil production to as much as 25% which has resulted in the lost of billions of dollars in revenue generation. The effect of the crisis in the Niger Delta has contributed to the empirical rise in World oil price. Worthy of note is also the free circulation of arms among youth in the Niger Delta which could spiral a country into a state of anarchy. The arms proliferation in the region should be a major concern to peace loving people around the world.
THE PEACE PROPOSAL
It is to this end that we have decided to start a peace movement that will bring all stakeholders in the region to The Hague in the Netherlands. First, we want to rally all militant groups in the region together and make them agree in principle to a truce. We have opened dialogue with the major militant groups and there are positive signs that under the rightful conditions they are willing to talk.
We have started a documentary film with some Dutch freelance camera crew which has captured some shots of the region, some of the militants have spoken to us of their grievances and other groups have agreed that we can visit their camps in the creek. The level of cooperation from these groups has been unprecedented.
The emphasis now is primarily on the militant groups to make them gather under one umbrella and speak in one voice. This is an advantage because it brings all wary factions together and creates harmony in their broken walls. The few respected Elders and traditional rulers in the region are also part of our peace initiative.
The next stage will now be to approach the government of President Umaru Yar’ Adua to assign the Vice President Dr. Jonathan Goodluck who coincidentally is from the Niger Delta region to represent the government of Nigeria. There is no doubt that the Federal Government will embrace this opportunity. We will now move to bring in the multinational oil companies operating in the region and also the ambassadors of the following countries in Nigeria, US, Britain and Netherlands.
Finally, efforts will now be geared towards making the Dutch Government to host this peace parley in The Hague. This whole process might seem a daunting task but with the proper planning and support of all stakeholders’ peace will never be elusive.
FUNDING
All this process can never be achieved without funding. This is why we are appealing to lovers of peace in the Niger Delta to support us financially in making our propose trip to Nigeria a reality. This trip is to enable us speak with all stakeholders in the current crisis and visit the camps of the militant groups. The visit will also be part of the documentary film.
SECURITY
We have been there before so the issue of security will not be a problem. The Niger Delta is not as dangerous as most international media portrays it. The people are very friendly and loving to foreign visitors. Most international media has visited the militants in the past and no danger was reported on their lives. If your mission is clearly defined and for the good of the people, you will always come out safe.
CONCLUSION
With your support and help we can achieve this peace that has eluded the region for sometime. The benefit will be oil production back in full capacity, international oil prices dropping considerably, end to arms proliferation, and safety of foreign oil workers and improvement of human rights.
