Bullets Can’t Solve Niger Delta’s Problems - Gov

Gill, Nsa-abasi, Calabar - 05.07.2008

THE Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Barrister Godswill Akpabio, has stated catergorically that only massive infrastructural development and not guns can solve the problems of militancy and insecurity in the Niger Delta.

Speaking in Tinapa, Calabar, during his remarks at the opening session of the People’s Democratic Party’s two-day retreat for National Working Committee (NWC) members of the party, the governor also charged his party members, along with the chairman and President of the Senate who were also in attendance, to deliberate on the way forward for the party.

His words, “My wish for you is that you look at all issues that tend to divide us, my wish for you is that you deliberate on those things that tend to strengthen us, my wish for you is that you will leave all other prejudices and attempt to deliberate more on sacrifices that will unite this country.”

In an interview with newsmen, the governor explained further on his panacea for the Niger Delta problems, saying, “I will stand by the wishes and decisions of the people of the Niger Delta. If the people say they want a summit, that is what I will support because as far as I am concerned, we are voted to actualize the wishes of the people and it is their decision that we implement on a daily basis. The point I am making is that I believe the problem of the Niger Delta can be solved with infrastructural renascence.

“It is only in Nigeria that we have a paradox situation where development starts from the centre and comes towards the production area where you have the oil and what you see is total neglect, environmental pollution, no water to drink and no electricity and all that.”

He charged the Federal Government to develop the Niger Delta with sufficient infrastructure to show sincerity of purpose in the development of the area.

He believed that if the government moved in bulldozers into the area, set up task force that can transform the landscape of the Niger Delta, militancy would just disappear,adding, “with that, even the parents of the militants will disown them saying, what are you fighting for again? You were fighting for recognition and development and you have it, government has brought it down, so what again?

"The infrastructural renascence will come hand- in-hand with an explosion of employment opportunities for the youths. We can only fight militancy with infrastructure and create employment as well as bring in some micro-industries and medium-industries and we will not have the problem of militancy.

"My thinking is that we must be realistic in the situation and not engaging them in fighting because once they are hungry they will still go back. You see a person who is into stealing, you give him enough food, he may change, but if he starves, he would go back. Let us answer the insecurity in the Niger Delta with massive infrastuctural development, re-engage the youth positively.

"As an establishment man, I can agree that there must be a summit but the modalities of that summit must be worked out by those who are affected. There is a Master Plan of the Niger Delta already and we are trying to marry it with the development strategy of Akwa Ibom State, but a Master Plan without money will remain just a mere plan on paper,” he said.