By Gbenga Oke

LAGOS—Former Minister of Petroleum, Chief Don Etiebet, has called on the Niger Delta Avengers and other aggrieved groups in the South South to dialogue with the Federal Government rather than carrying arms against government.

Militants vs Buhari

He also said the FG has shown its commitment to the Niger Delta especially with the kick-off of Ogoniland clean up.

Speaking with Vanguard, Etiebet said: “The militants should come and sit down with the government to dialogue if their interest is actually for the development of the Niger Delta and not peculiar, penurious or personal interests. They should see what this government wants to do. They should sit and discuss with government.

“I agree that they are aggrieved because of the long suffering and neglect of the region, but they should see the sincerity of purpose of this new administration in tackling their problems from many angles and the cleaning of Ogoni is a major pointer. Before now, we have had a President from the Niger Delta and several roads such as East West Road or even Warri to Port-Harcourt is a death trap. So these are some of the areas the Niger Delta people should ask this government what they will do.

“The issue of the Niger Delta is a critical discourse and on the front-burner in Nigerian politics. However, we have to appreciate the sincerity of President Buhari on the issue of Niger Delta. For a long time, previous governments have turned a deaf ear on the issues affecting Niger Delta, the degradation and oil spillage that has affected the people of that area. Today, this government has kicked off the cleaning of Ogoni land according to UNEP report. So, I think the government should be given space.

“In the past, this country has taken interest in developing the Niger Delta even in the constitution with the 13 per cent derivation. As Minister of Petroleum, I toured all the oil producing areas and came up with a report and part of that report formed the basis for the 13 percent derivation in the constitution. This 13 percent has been paid and all the oil producing states are swimming in this 13 percent with lots of money, have the governors of those states producing oil accounted for this 13 per cent? Have the people of the Niger Delta asked their governors what they have used the money for?

“In the past, some states in the Niger Delta collected about N60 billion in a month. Have you asked what they did with the N60 billion? That money was for developing Niger Delta and that is where the blame should start. People should start asking questions.”