REPORT ON THE PAN NIGER DELTA CONFERENCE Held on Tuesday 28 January, 2014, in Port Harcourt. PREAMBLE The conference of ethnic nationalities of the Niger Delta was organised by Social Action in partnership with a coalition of NGOs and attracted impressive participation from communities within the Niger Delta. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the conference were to: 1. Identify the strategic interest of the Niger Delta 2. Map out plans for their achievement during the National conference and beyond 3. Draw up strategies that would help prevent the difficulties that imperilled previous National conferences with regard to the attainment of the aspirations of the Niger Delta 4. To put the Niger Delta question on the front burner nationally and internationally. EXPECTED OUTCOMES The underfollowing were the expected outcomes of the conference: 1. Harmonization of positions of the Niger Delta peoples, as represented by ethnic nationality organisations, community groups, non-governmental organisations, etc. This will enable delegates to the conference present a united front. 2. Establishment of a Pan-Niger Delta Action Committee as a broad democratic platform to shape the debate about the proposed conference, and other issues that affect the region. HIGH-POINTS AND REMARKS. PROF ALAGOA: 1. The current constitution is not reflective of the aspirations of Nigerians 2. Politicians are only interested in power-grab without providing alternative strategies for National rebirth. 3. The 4th Republic can only be meaningful if it can bequeath to Nigerians a more sustainable basis for national co-existence. NNIMMO BASSEY: 1. We have to agree that whatever resource found in the nation belongs to the people from whose environment it is found. 2. The owners of the resource have the right to permit or restrict its extraction. 3. We must demand an environmental audit of the entire Niger Delta 4. Practical responses must be given to the demands of the peoples of Nigeria. Eg, Ogoni Bill of Rights, Kaiama Declaration et al. 5. If Oil spills can’t be stopped, then production must be stopped. 6. The establishment of the Niger Delta Survival Fund for Environmental Restoration and savings for our children. LEEDUM MITEE 1. The critical Nigerian question for over a century is how to unite the various ethnic nationalities to exist as one Nation. 2. Geographical segmentation is a fraudulent contraption to undermine the aspirations and voices of minority ethnic minorities; South-South is heterogeneous unlike other geopolitical zones. National conference should be validated on the basis of people suffrage/ referendum. 3. We should embrace the National Dialogue PROF. KIMSE OKOKO 1. That the Niger Delta has produced the President doesn’t mean the Niger Delta problems have been solved. 2. Representation to the National Dialogue must be on the basis of ethnic nationalities and not based on constituencies as recommended by the Presidential Advisory Committee (PAC) 3. Outcome of the conference should be ratified by a referendum 4. The bogus list of issues to be discussed at the National Dialogue as presented by the PAC is an attempt to silence salient issues of National importance especially those of the Niger Delta region and therefore must be shortened to a critical shortlist. 5. No Governor should be allowed to nominate delegates to the National Dialogue in order not to taint it with partisan politics. 6. Ethnic nationalities and not NGOs or CBOs should be the basis for representation at the National Dialogue 7. Federal Government should be restricted to the items on the exclusive list PROF. ANDREW EFEMINI 1. Britain committed the original sin in 1914 for putting their economic interest above those of amalgamating nations. 2. There is no basis for celebrating the centenary since we’ve not evolved to a proper state. 3. Running state economic structures that are dependent on supply from the center and with great imbalances is a good reason to burn the constitution. PROF. ACHINEWHU 1. The times of lamentations are over; it is now time to negotiate the federation 2. We must determine what must be the character of the federating units. 3. The outcome of the National Dialogue should form the basis of a new constitution. ANNKIO BRIGGS 1. The problem with Nigeria started with the Amalgamation. 2. Those who have paid the price for the amalgamation are the Niger delta people. 3. The national dialogue has to be a sovereign national conference 4. If Nigeria is remaining together; and it should, at what cost? 5. We will not negotiate our resources with anybody. 6. The restructuring of Nigeria, governance, and rights of ethic nationalities should be the basis of the National Conference. 7. Our desire is total ownership of our resources, lands, waters, and mangroves. 8. We want a brand new constitution to capture the interests and aspirations of ethnic nationalities. NOTE These were some of the remarks of speakers at the Pan Niger Delta Conference. This is not an official report. Oraye St. Franklyn @RealOraye
Posted on: Wed, 29 Jan 2014 08:12:55 +0000
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