WARRI—FOLLOWING the amnesty granted to militants in Niger Delta by President Umaru Yar’Adua, the Federal Government has been charged to refocus its total commitment towards massive development of the oil rich region.

Chief Augustine Ukulor, the Amananawei of Opuama, gave the charge while reacting to the purported amnesty granted to  militants in the region.

The Ijaw chieftain noted that the purported amnesty billed for selected aggrieved youths tagged militants by the Federal Government is a welcome development, but will not provide the desired solution to the Niger Delta crisis, which originated long ago as a result of non development of the region by the Federal Government.

He stated that the only remedy to solving the crisis, is for the Federal Government to grant the Niger Delta long neglected oil communities “ massive and rapid development”, particularly the creeks, and should be included in the purported amnesty.

He further maintained that granting amnesty to militants would not stop the aggrieved oil communities in the region from agitating for their rights and development, which has been the root of the crisis in Niger Delta.

“The Federal Government should embark on rehabilitating the bombarded Gbaramatu communities, and prevail on the Niger Delta Ministry to start full operation in the region”