By Akpokona Omafuaire

WARRI—THE Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, HRM Oboro Gbaraun II, has urged the Federal Government to give accelerated attention to the demands raised by the Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, and reiterated the peaceful disposition of his kingdom to peace.

The Gbaramatu monarch, at Oporoza in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, made the call, yesterday, when the United States delegation, led by its Consul-General to Nigeria, Mr. John Bray, visited him in his palace.

The US delegation which also included, the Director of the United States Agency for International Development, USAID,   Mr. Blair King, was on a mission for peaceful dialogue in the Niger Delta.

The Pere said it was disheartening that after critical stakeholders of PANDEF had met with the Presidency, no meaningful steps had been taken by the government.

He also called for the commencement of academic activities at the Nigerian Maritime University, NMU, in Okerenkoko, noting that it would facilitate human and capital development in the region.

According to him: “We, hereby, reiterate that the demands of PANDEF must be given sufficient and adequate attention. It is disheartening to observe that after the meeting with the pPresidency by critical stakeholders of PANDEF,  no action has been taken on the issues raised. Some of the issues raised include holistic implementation of the presidential amnesty programme, clean-up and environmental remediation of Ogoniland, fiscal federalism, among others.”

The monarch also decried military invasion in Gbaramatu communities which made many residents to desert their homes while royal fathers were allegedly arrested.

He said: “A detachment of the Nigerian Army on May 28, 2016, invaded our communities,  placed our royal fathers under house arrest, desecrated our worship centre (Egbesu Sanctum) and made away with our priceless symbols of unity. It is our earnest appeal that you prevail on the Federal Government to redeem our confidence in the rule of law in this government.”

Also speaking,  the Gbaramatu Traditional Council of Chiefs, through Chief Clark Gbenewei,  described Gbaramatu as peace loving people, but had been brandished criminals by some disgruntled elements in the society.

He said: “As people of the Niger Delta, we belong to PANDEF and support the 16- point agenda submitted to the Federal Government. It is our hope that government will meet the demands one after the another starting with the take off of the Maritime University.”

On his part, Bray commended the Gbaramatu people for the warm reception accorded  his team, saying:  “We are here to promote peace in the region, we are here to know about the situation on ground,  visit communities and see with our eyes. This is exactly the same thing the Vice President did two weeks ago, to maintain peace in the region. The warm reception accorded us is a strong signal of the tie between US government, Nigeria and the Gbaramatu Kingdom.”

Bray and his team, thereafter, moved  to Kurutie to inspect the temporary site of NMU where he expressed his satisfaction with the facilities at the university.