The troubled Niger Delta area of Nigeria holds most of the oil that is found in Nigeria. In present day Nigeria, the main foreign exchange earner is the oil that is explored in this region. Niger delta is ironically home to some of the poorest people on earth. Environmentally, some parts of the Niger Delta have been described as disasters due to pollution/oil spillage. The poorest people in the world should not be living in the oil producing regions of Nigeria where millions of dollars exchange hands daily.

As a result of frustrations arising from the lack of basic necessities of life in this oil producing regions of Nigeria, militants have emerged and they are demanding autonomy or resource control for the oil that comes from this region. The militants claimed that they want to bring good life to their people. That is not their job. It is a duty that every government owns the citizenry: to see to the welfare of the states and the inhabitants. Whatever happens, the Federal Government of Nigeria will never concede to the demands of the militants (except paying ransoms to kidnappers). Rather than concede, the Nigerian government will go to war with the militants if the need arises. History will repeat itself, fatally. Concerned Nigerians and leaders of thoughts have expressed interests in the plights of the people of the Niger Delta such that resolving to arm conflicts should definitely not be an option.  

 Oil exploration has been going on in the Niger Delta for some decades now. It is still a mystery therefore  that despite the fact that the Federal Government of Nigeria has been promising to help the Delta people for many years, the progress made have been very little. Perhaps as a result of corruption and insincerity on the part of the affected states and the federal government there are only a few pockets of progress here and there. What is actually needed in the Niger Delta and indeed Nigeria is a total transformation of lives into that which is worth living.The targets should include to let clean water run in every home, to provide decent schools for the children, good roads and modern hospitals. These are provisions that should have been made without demands. Where serious environmental damage have occurred, the communities should be compensated depending on the degree of damage. The oil companies in the Niger Delta should clean up their mess and pollute no more. The Environmental Protection Agency must ensure strict compliance.

In the Niger Delta especially, the concerned states and the federal government need to take drastic measures to correct the anomaly of many years. It has been said that some leaders of the Niger Delta area have contributed to the woes of the region. This is justifiable going by the failures of OMPADEC, NDDC and the recent prosecution of the likes of Alamieyeseigha. But now that everyone seemed to be enlightened and keen, it will be good to see what can be done to restore the hope of the people in the Niger Delta area. We will all like to see what has been put in place to protect the environment as well. The Federal government and the various oil companies operating in the Niger Delta have a lot to do to change the region from a killing field to a place where sanity reigns.

One thing that has played out in the Niger Delta recently is that the militants have actually constituted themselves into public nuisance as well. The extent to which the militants have pursued their claims and demands has attracted condemnations. They should not have ever kidnapped children or women. They have become greedily used to the ransoms that have sustained their big mouths over the years and now and it seems that they will not know when to call it quit despite the fact that one of their own is now the vice-president of Nigeria as a result of the fraudulent and criminalized elections of 2007. Even the militant leader incarcerated by Obasanjo has been released.

A quick reminder to the restless militants: as far as a unified Nigeria is concerned, there is frustration and oppression almost everywhere and we cannot all resolve to carrying arms to right all the wrongs we have lived with for all of our lifetime. As we work towards our noble targets in the Niger Delta, we should not forget the Nigerian people who live close to or in the desert regions. The commitments of a sincere and legitimate government will cover all and sundry with justice and fairness as the motives. We must continue to seek the strengths in our diversities as a unified nation.  

For the future, we need to find the answers to some nagging security questions: Why should militants operating in the creeks be more sophisticated than the Nigerian Army, Police and Navy put together? Why are the coastal areas not properly guarded? Will our real enemies not utilize this weaknesses someday to invade us if necessary? Are the militants the only group of people who understand the creeks? When will the Nigerian Police be really ready to tackle the problem of safety of the citizens in our common neighbourhoods?  For now, urgent steps are needed to disarm the various factions of militants. Some of them are simply a group of petty thieves picking up easy preys and looting on fishing boats. Unemployment problems should be addressed with immediate effect to dissuade criminals from kidnapping more innocent citizens. The problem of pollution should be tackled without hesitation. The local indigenes should be able to live, swim, fish and farm in safe and unpolluted environment. Above all, patience will remain a virtue in Nigeria even if the leadership still lacks legitimacy.

May the Glory of Nigeria come, soon!

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Robot  # 1 | 01.08.2007 08:25

The troubled Niger Delta area of Nigeria holds most of the oil that is found in Nigeria. In prese...Read the full article.

OverLoad  # 2 | 01.08.2007 09:01

Not trying to sound insensitive to the Niger-Deltans plight but as the old saying goes charity begins at home. The so called militants should start the cleansing by holding their very own leaders accountable. Last I checked the budget allocation for the Niger-Delta states where population is a quater to half of other non niger-delta states were allocated a significant sum of money. Maybe they should start developing their community with that and make good use of the budget. Even if the federal govt allocates more billions , if it gets into wrong hands the niger-deltans plight will still remain the same. They should probe, scrutinize their leaders and make their leaders provide visible results. While oil is bringing the most revenue to nigeria, it needs to be understood that other non-oil producing states too have a significant impact on the economy, whether in agriculture or some other areas and yet the quality of life is not all that great, as we all know money does not circulate equally in nigeria, that should bring us to question the leadership in nigeria from bottom-up , from the local govt before we go back to aso rock. Its indeed pathetic to see the state in which the beautiful indigenes of the niger-delta states live, imagine breathing in oil and all other toxic materials? , I truly sympathize with their plight, but I dont think blaming the federal govt or even holding hostage the foreign oil producers will provide any immediate results. Get a copy of the recent budget and see how much money has been allocated to these states, thats why I wonder whats happening to that budget if the lives of the ppl are not improving. The militants need to squash sqaubbles with their own leadership first ,how about kidnapping their governor? and making them perform the duty they were elected into office for.

Son of the Delta  # 3 | 01.08.2007 12:17

=OverLoad;196500>Not trying to sound insensitive to the Niger-Deltans plight but as the old saying goes charity begins at home. The so called militants should start the cleansing by holding their very own leaders accountable. Last I checked the budget allocation for the Niger-Delta states where population is a quater to half of other non niger-delta states were allocated a significant sum of money. Maybe they should start developing their community with that and make good use of the budget. Even if the federal govt allocates more billions , if it gets into wrong hands the niger-deltans plight will still remain the same. They should probe, scrutinize their leaders and make their leaders provide visible results. While oil is bringing the most revenue to nigeria, it needs to be understood that other non-oil producing states too have a significant impact on the economy, whether in agriculture or some other areas and yet the quality of life is not all that great, as we all know money does not circulate equally in nigeria, that should bring us to question the leadership in nigeria from bottom-up , from the local govt before we go back to aso rock. Its indeed pathetic to see the state in which the beautiful indigenes of the niger-delta states live, imagine breathing in oil and all other toxic materials? , I truly sympathize with their plight, but I dont think blaming the federal govt or even holding hostage the foreign oil producers will provide any immediate results. Get a copy of the recent budget and see how much money has been allocated to these states, thats why I wonder whats happening to that budget if the lives of the ppl are not improving. The militants need to squash sqaubbles with their own leadership first ,how about kidnapping their governor? and making them perform the duty they were elected into office for. Have you started charity at your home before you extend it to another man`s home? There is a Sudanese saying that says wash your pot before washing your neighbours pot!

OverLoad  # 4 | 01.08.2007 12:41

Let me know in clear terms what your point is, then i'll decide if am willing to waste a couple of minutes on you!! Kind Regards. =Son of the Delta;196551>Have you started charity at your home before you extend it to another man`s home? There is a Sudanese saying that says wash your pot before washing your neighbours pot!

Son of the Delta  # 5 | 01.08.2007 12:53

=OverLoad;196565>Let me know in clear terms what your point is, then i'll decide if am willing to waste a couple of minutes on you!! Kind Regards. If you are serious about questioning accountability you should do that from the top.Question those that are in control of up to 90 percent of the oil money.Question those that co-ordinate the rigging of elections in Nigeria.The Nigerian state is a joint venture partner in nearly all the oil fields that alone is enough indictment for the national government.We should blame the right people! A Niger Deltan has never been Nigerian head of state or government so how do you push the blame to them?The national government also recieves oil revenue and uses it as it wishes, so what is your grouse with the Niger Delta? Are they responsible for the uneven distribution of the resources or the environmental degradation? Can you sum up your problem with the Niger Delta?

OverLoad  # 6 | 01.08.2007 13:45

Seems my point flew over your head. First off let me clarify that I have absolutely no problems with Niger-Deltans and do not intend to in the nearest future. I see Nigeria as a single entity irrespective of the fact that will could pratically be divided into 250 something seperate nations based on mother tongue alone. Now since we dont have that oppurtunity and we have all been enmassed as one, theres a need for us to work with what we have to better the lives of our citizens all round as 1 single country, that of cos would include oil-producing and non-oil producing states. Now theres yearly budget allocation to each states, I really dont know what the criteria is for the allocation, but FG allocate to each state a certain sum. Now, while i dont have presently a copy of the budget but having seen one a while ago and from what I can recall, oil producing states were vividly allocated extra sum of money solely based on the fact that they are oil producing states. This is an excerpt from an article N20.5 billion specifically made for the Oil-Producing Local Governments and Communities I guess my question is, the extra monies being allocated to these states(whether its big or small or not enough is another matter entirely), whats being done with it?.Its obviously not reflecting in the lives of the ppl and it goes a long way to show their respective leaders are not managing the funds well. Look at cross rivers for example they dont get as much as akwa ibom, but donald duke manages/managed the state's money well you would think they had more money to begin with. If the FG is going to do anything for them(ie the niger deltans) , if theres a good govt hierarchy , i believe they are going to pass through the local state govt, the governors and all his other subjects. Brings us back to the point that at a point in time the resposibilty will lie upon them. And if your leaders are messed up as most of them are, you will never see any improvement in the ordinary's man's life. Nigerians are so quick to point to Aso rock, am not absolving FG of any blame, but ppl need to hold their leaders more accountable, after all they were chosen to represent them as a single voice and must be able to answer to their ppl. Seems you are applying sentiments to this issue. What has having a Niger-Deltan as a head of state got to do with this. Whats the assurance if you elect ppl like alams*fill in the rest* the whole country wouldnt shut down?.. Am a little wary of ppl like you(nothing to do with you personally with you but deducting from your post), so you are saying a niger-deltan head of state will be a solution to nigeria's problems, just cos he might allocate 90% to the niger-delta states and your cheeks can grow fat and you will be happy and all your problems will come to a halt. A great leader I believe has nothing to do with his tribe, but how well he leads his ppl. Now thats the biggest challenge nigeria has. Identifying a great leader. =Son of the Delta;196570>If you are serious about questioning accountability you should do that from the top.Question those that are in control of up to 90 percent of the oil money.Question those that co-ordinate the rigging of elections in Nigeria.The Nigerian state is a joint venture partner in nearly all the oil fields that alone is enough indictment for the national government.We should blame the right people! A Niger Deltan has never been Nigerian head of state or government so how do you push the blame to them?The national government also recieves oil revenue and uses it as it wishes, so what is your grouse with the Niger Delta? Are they responsible for the uneven distribution of the resources or the environmental degradation? Can you sum up your problem with the Niger Delta?

naijanubian  # 7 | 01.08.2007 15:01

To SOD Enough about who did or did not do what. Now, I think the issue should be what do we do about it? I mean action! There is an Ibo saying that 'A man in a burning house does not look or rats' The Niger Delta deserves better than mere talking and militants.

Oguguo Yakere  # 8 | 02.08.2007 07:38

"First off let me clarify that I have absolutely no problems with Niger-Deltans and do not intend to in the nearest future" . My friend, say what you may, the very mindset you have exhibited with your comments here pitches you against the innocent people of Niger Delta. So you have problem with them and you will in the future because you have left the source of the problem to start blaming them. The fish as they say begins to rot from the head. PDP's practical code for their members is " to whom much is given much should be returned" Knock that into your head now. To verify so, look at those that made the news and hear them point back at their party. This does not in any way justify it. Ngige who stole Anambra's governorship reisited them and look what he got. PDP a nest of killers gives you and takes back the lion share through many ways and by the time they are done with you, you begin to play their game being one of them. Do not arrogate yourself with being the judge of performing governors in another territory. Begin with the ones in your neck of woods my friend. Leave the Deltans alone with their chosen method to solve their problem. If they had not started to raise the dust they are now raising, you would not even be talking about them. Now your threath of history repeating itself is another indication of your stupid arrogance. Are you glamourizing the shame that Nigeria brought on itself by the ill adviced wrongly directed revenge against innocent people beginning with a pogrom and ending with a genocidal war against its unarmed innocent citizens? If you are then shame on you. The unarmed fighter who fabricated their own weapons did loose the war. But they did win battles. If you doubt go to the grave yards. It was not only Biafrans that died. Do you want another one? This time the world will see and the people may not be as unarmed as the previous. Come out of your arrogance of history repeating itself. It would not. "I see Nigeria as a single entity irrespective of the fact that will could pratically be divided into 250 something seperate nations based on mother tongue alone. Now since we dont have that oppurtunity and we have all been enmassed as one, theres a need for us to work with what we have to better the lives of our citizens all round as 1 single country, that of cos would include oil-producing and non-oil producing states". The above from you shows that you are an OBASANJOist. Yes that has been his divide and rule tacticts. Put wedges here and there between people of a common heritage, tell them that there next door neighbour is of a different stalk and declare them enemies by bringing up differences between them; if possible create another state (which is good in this case for better administration) but count them as different until they declare themselves one more nation to be added to your imaginary 250 nations. One is still looking for all these nations. Do they exist in the West and the North? They seem to all come from the South South and the East alone. You will all be judged, someday. You are Obasanjo's apologist. So don't tell us otherwise. Leave the people of Niger Delta alone. Talk to the source of the entire mess in Nigeria. You know them. Stop pretending.

OverLoad  # 9 | 02.08.2007 09:45

Yakere, Seems am dialoging with a set of overtly sensitive men who have refused to use their logical sense , rather infusing their emotions into something this crucial thereby letting it take the best of them. In situations like this a wise man needs to be calm as possible and not let his emotions becloud his reasoning. All we want(I guess speaking for myself) is a change in Nigeria, the other parts of Nigeria might not have it as bad as the Niger-Deltans, but trust me it ain rosy for them either. The state of the country is sick. I just voiced my opinion my friend, lets sit back and see how this strategy will produce results, put food & water on the table , send those poor kids to school and at least put a roof over their head. If it works bet you I'll be the happiest, cos obviously the innocent citizens will at least live good lives, that to me is satisfying enough. Just an opinion, again just an opinion I dont see this approach providing quick results and thats why I voiced my opinion to start of, now if the welfare of the ppl still remains pitiful and nothing is changing I say its a waste of time. I want quick results cos the quality of life of the Niger-Deltans is alarming , theres absolutely no time to fight ,nor for war, all that is needed is action, and if you dont hold the right ppl you are getting none of that. Oh yes this is just an online exchange of words which in no way has any effect on any plans, so am not starting an anti-war against the Militia, they can go ahead and do what they feel and lets see where it gets them. Its very obvious you are reading in between the lines, picking sentences you think you can be defensive about, or simply you find it very difficult to comphrehend, I could not help laughing at your "ObasanjoIST" analogy, that was a good laugh, If you call being a realist being an ObasanjoIST then thats your own troubled waters. Isnt it a fact that we have over 250 tribes in Nigeria speaking different languages?, do we have to go about prentending our differences dont exists?, theres beauty in our differences and i have absolutely no problems with that, despite the fact that we are different we all come under one single Entity called Nigeria, anywhere you go they ask what country you are from am sure you will not say NIGER-DELTA, an outsider sees us as Nigerians whether urhobo,isoko, hausa or what not a NIGERIAN IS A NIGERIAN. Nowhere did I indicate that our differences is Nigeria's problem and nowhere did I put any blame on the Militia or even the ppl of the Niger-Delta, I just said maybe they should look into their backyard first if they want quick results, cos in your own very backyard lies the gold. Wasnt just one man the bayelsan gov caught with a huge amount of money , detained abroad and on landing home given a heroic welcome by his kinsmen?. I mean what the heck is wrong with our ppl. Not until recently the EFCC went after him and he was sentenced and I gaurantee hes out sooner than you think. Are you going to blame Aso Rock for that too? Why did the Militia not kidnap Alams- ??...why was he even allowed back into the state?.... You seem pretty confused or might I say overloaded with emotions and issues that might have been troubling you for long and you see this as an oppurtunity to let out with all, where in my post did I suggest directly or indirectly history repeating itself?. Give me a good reason why I would have any problems with Niger-Delta?? , I wont even bother to entertain your ignorance and defensiveness at anyone who does not agree with your approach. Look not everyone is fighting or trying to fight you. Personally the Oil money does not have any positive effect in my life not like am benefiting from it, so i wonder where all the animosity is coming from, direct your anger somewhere else. Am not sure if you are fustrated , but my friend so is every nigerian, having said that, this conversation too seems to be a waste of time. Wish you and your buddies goodluck my friend.

ebasain  # 10 | 02.08.2007 13:09

First, is 'Overload' a Human being? Secondly, is he a Nigerian? I am really not sure!

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