By Festus Ahon
UGHELLI—DELTA State People’s Democratic Party (PDP) youth leader, Mr. Arthur Akpowowo, has appealed to youths in the Niger Delta to exercise restraint in their agitation for massive development of the region.

Akpowowo, who made the appeal while speaking with our correspondent, decried the alleged killing of military personnel by militants and the raiding of some Ijaw communities by the Military Joint Task Force (JTF).

He said the feud between the militants and JTF was unfortunate, adding that the crisis was diversionary and appealed to President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua to call the JTF to order.

Akpowowo noted that the economic fortunes of the people were affected by the crisis, adding that the bombardment of an entire community without actually getting at the militants was bad.

He said it was important that both parties observed cease fire at this point in time so as not to allow the crisis to extend to the upland.

According to him, “the militants have brought the Niger Delta struggle to international level and it is therefore advisable that they (militants) stop the arm struggle after taking the plight of the people to the international level ”.

He argued that they should adopt other peaceful methods, having internationalized the struggle, adding that dialogue was the only way out of the Niger Delta problem at this point in time.

He however said the under development of the oil rich region was provocative and appealed to the Federal Government to take urgent step towards addressing the age long neglect of the area.