One of the social problems which the Federal Government of Nigeria has been saddled with since the past one decade is the widespread resentment among the people of the Niger-Delta area which harbours the oil and gas that sustain her economy .

The consequence of this resentment includes the upsurge in the vandalization of oil pipelines by unemployed, yet educated youth as a result of the absence of motorable roads, educational institutions, pipe-borne water, healthcare facilities and electrical supply.

Before now, the people of Niger-Delta had complained about their relative deprivation in a peaceful manner, but these complaints fell on deaf ears, until the complaints generated into protest and violence.

The Federal Government appears to have legitimized or justified the activities of the militant youths in the Niger –Delta through the proclamation of amnesty for them.

The international community was not left out; their media had consistently lent credence to the claim of human rights abuses in the Niger-Delta, and that is why the Federal Government has been globally commended for the amnesty programme aimed at rehabilitating the angry youths and reducing poverty.

Despite all efforts by the present administration to tackle the problem of Niger-Delta, the region is still in confusion and largely undeveloped. It seems to me that something is missing. The number of states in Niger Delta, out of 36, is grossly inadequate and may explain why all the resources invested in the area can hardly be appreciated. When Nigeria was made up of four regions, namely: Northern region, Western region, Eastern region and Mid-Western region, Delta and Edo states alone constituted one quarter, equivalent to 25 per cent of the whole country even as natural rubbers, palm oil, and cocoa and other products were in commercial quantities. But today the two states have politically degenerated to one eight of the country, equivalent to about 5.5 per cent. This analysis has not taken into consideration River State, Cross River State, Akwa-Ibom State, Imo State, Ogun State and others that make up Niger-Delta which since independence have been subjected to gradual structural disintegration and political decimation by successive civilian and fascist administrations.

The then Northern Nigeria which was calculated as one quarter of the country, now has 19 states which is about 16 per cent of the country even as they contribute little or nothing to Nigeria’s Gross National Product.

How many Nigerians have paused to imagine the gradual process of extinction of the Niger-Delta as unemployed graduates constitute about half of the unemployed in the whole country. Most of the communities have never tasted pipe-borne water, while the commuters cannot drive to their villages. Is it not baffling? Hence there is now a consensus of opinion that more states have become imperative as major panacea for addressing the problem of the Niger-Delta, and no time is better than now that President Goodluck Jonathan is at the helm of affairs.

Northern Nigerian leaders and politicians, including intellectuals, may have seen the hand-writing on the wall. Hence, they have expressed sympathy for the people of Niger-Delta but yet some myopic Nigerians cannot see beyond what these prominent Northern leaders have seen. I am talking about the likes of General Yakubu Gowon, among other opinion leaders across the country

Meanwhile, various sections of the country- the North, East and West- have submitted requests for the creation of new states to the National Assembly. I am also aware that a prominent senator recently advocated for the creation of new states in the country. It is interesting that the National Assembly will soon start looking into these requests.

It has become necessary, therefore, to emphasize without any fear of contradiction that these exercises will go a long way to resolving the conflicts in the Niger-Delta. Delta State is due for a split as this will enhance development.

Similarly other states in the Niger-Delta should also be considered for the purpose of creating more states. Such new states should take cognizance of cultural affinity and geographical propinquity.

Mr Uche Emmanuel Nwadialor is a former member of the Delta State House of Assembly