By default, Nigeria may be quietly returning to the unpleasant regime of deadly violence unleashed by militants in the Niger Delta region which, pre-2010, put the country on the edge economically through sabotage of crude exports and the pipelines. However, all the amnesty granted hundreds of the militants in exchange for weapons and a renunciation of violence are being eroded by a resurgence of attacks on oil facilities, the latest close to NNPC jetty in Okrika, Rivers State.
The augury is bad if the country is allowed to slip back into the dark days, especially in the face of the current consuming insecurity in the North East.
A great lesson from the security challenges the country has had to grapple with so far is the need for a timely response to brewing crises anywhere without jeopardizing the larger interests of the country. Considering the complex structure of the federation that has never been meaningfully addressed suggested consultative approach is not in any way indicative of a weak government but one to lay the grounds for a lasting peace engineered through justice. The resurgence of attacks also provides another moment of reflection on the defective federation with wobbling structures successive administrations have managed to build upon. For instance, the age-long agitation for resource control and other critical matters are pending. The opportunity for amicable redress must not be lost on the ongoing national dialogue.
However, it is on record that the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) which has been recognised as one of the umbrella bodies of the Niger Delta militants was given a fair chance when the window of opportunity opened for amnesty for members and it is on record that as many as were receptive to the government’s olive branch had been reasonably resettled for a more productive life. What then is the rationale for the current agitation by MEND, more than three years after the adoption of the novel programmes. In which case the government can be excused for suspecting foul play or greed in some quarters.
MEND said the assault was to destroy the refinery in expressing its anger with the ongoing “fraudulent” amnesty which they also dubbed an avenue for some corrupt politicians to embezzle public funds. While taking responsibility for the infiltration of the Okrika jetty by “a few of our fighters with the aid of internal agents within the NNPC”, the movement hinted of more hits. That sounds like a declaration of another war with the government, a threat that must be taken seriously before a greater damage is done to facilities, a diversionary battle the country can hardly afford to fight during this very challenging time with insurgents in the North-East. The group has again touched on the sore point of corruption in the system which has attracted international embarrassment.
President Goodluck Jonathan himself being a “son of the soil” must publicly show interest in MEND’s claim of the amnesty being another avenue for corrupt politicians to perfect their sleaze mentality. What is it that MEND knows about the disbursements of public funds to pursue the amnesty programme that has been a dark secret to the public? Who are those bleeding the country?
Besides, government should take more than a fleeting interest in MEND’s revelation of “internal agents within the NNPC”. Certainly, it was a direct response to NNPC’s claim that vandals were responsible for the explosion that claimed lives following an inferno. For now, the public has no cause to doubt claims on either side, especially NNPC’s that no staff member died or that its jetty operations “are up and running” with no impact on operations. But the fact is that between the NNPC and its subsidiary – the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) – damage to facility was recorded, and by extension losses to the nation.
The present productive capacity in the industry is already below par for sundry untenable reasons and for which the consumers of petroleum products have adversely suffered in many parts of the country. But official tardiness and avoidable disruption to free flow of products are not excuses.
MEND should also realise that no matter the genuineness of its complaints, resorting to jungle tactics to force the hands of government would not sway public sympathy in its favour again. Militants must learn to embrace dialogue and present facts at their disposal for public consumption. That is the level of reason the country is aiming to attain now. Its Hurricane Exodus “to bring down the entire refining facility” must be halted forthwith in the collective interest of the country. Enough of violent agitations.
