Niger Delta: Beyond military attacks

Akin Yusuf

I have practically restrained myself from commenting on recent developments in the Niger Delta essentially for three reasons. First, I needed time to monitor the dimension the events were bound to take especially as it progressed. Secondly, it was important to weigh public opinion on the subject, given that issues relating to the Niger Delta have always attracted wide scale public sympathy. And thirdly I needed to be sure of what I would say to ensure that it agreed not only with my earlier submissions but also something that would facilitate the speedy resolution of the matter, which for now seems to be Nigeria’s Achilles heel.
Let me say that I was astonished following the decision of Nigeria’s armed forces to confront the Niger Delta militants three weeks ago. I kept asking myself what would have given Mr. President the courage to take such a dastardly action, which was bound to have repercussions. At the same time, you would have noticed that recent developments in the Niger Delta have not attracted any serious public condemnation. My investigation on this matter shows that people are getting fed up with the ugly stories that emanate from that region on a daily basis. And as a result, public sympathy seems to have waned especially since wide scale criminality was introduced into the struggle. In fact many have concluded that what is happening in the Niger Delta presently is not in tune with the philosophy for which Adaka Boro, Ken Saro Wiwa and other heroes of the region fought and died for.

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There is enough to show fact the Niger Delta issue was over the years mismanaged by all of us. First, by successive governments that in most cases was hypocritical on the matter, always refusing to match words with action. For goodness sake, several years after and in spite of the hullabaloo about introducing the derivation formula of revenue allocation, and trying to correct misdeeds of past administrations in terms of infrastructural deficiencies and lack of commensurate economic opportunities; I am yet to see any concrete evidence to this effect. Imagine if as government addressed the infrastructure challenges of the area, and this is also followed by promoting the establishment of businesses, which in the long run would provide employment opportunities? Imagine if we had set up a petrochemical cluster in the region where the basic raw materials (oil and gas) are found in abundance? Of course, activities in the downstream of such complexes were bound to have created tremendous employment opportunities that would engage the youths of the area.

Secondly, successive leaders of the Niger Delta ranging from State Governors, legislators, local government officials to traditional rulers have rather been most unfair. They must collectively be held responsible for the carnage currently going on in the region. It is because of their insensitivity and recklessness, coupled with their management of public funds that the youths have gone gaga. Against the collective, these individuals have preferred to accumulate false wealth and powers again using the already deprived youths who are in the majority, who they deployed to secure their stolen wealth and importance. Of course, there will always be a day of reckoning, these false leaders are no longer in a position to control their former bodyguards, aides and tugs, who apparently have seen the light; and as a result the hunter has suddenly become the hunted. Also culpable are the Niger Delta youths themselves who have refused to see the difference between agitation and criminality. How on earth would you explain the kidnapping of innocent people for ransom? Of what rationale is the rape of innocent women, summary attacks on whole villages (perceived to be enemies) or the wanton killings that have come to characterize life in the Niger Delta? Why would they prevent contractors working on the several infrastructural projects in the area from undertaking the jobs for which they have been paid?

Thirdly and more importantly, I still feel strongly that the oil companies operating in the Region have not yet shown sufficient remorse especially in terms of corporate social responsibility, management of the environment and providing economic opportunities for local communities. I dare say that it is the fact of this perceived injustice that has consistently driven youths of the region to the extreme. In other words, so long as oil companies refuse to change their methods of doing business in the Niger Delta for so long will they suffer in the hands of these angry youths.

Nevertheless, my interest now is how to handle the aftermath of the on going military incursion, which is bond to have unpleasant consequences. As these youths are being dislodged from their homelands, they are bound to seek protection and refuge elsewhere. What is the guarantee that their nuisance value would not manifest in their new locations? It is therefore likely that the level of criminality in the country, more especially around the Niger Delta states is bound to worsen in the short term. Is the Nigerian Police Force adequately prepared for such eventualities? Does it have any contingency arrangements yet? It will only be fool hardy, if we solve one problem only to create another hydra headed one. With the likelihood of increased politicking in the very near future following the impending 2011 elections, and knowing the modus operandi of Nigeria’s political class especially in terms of frequent recourse to tugs, you should know that we are in for hard times ahead.
To say that a lot of innocent people have been displaced with whole communities sacked in the aftermath of the military attacks is an understatement. Hence, government (possibly using the Ministry of Niger Delta) should come up with strategies to rebuild, resettle and re-energize such displaced communities. And harping on the possible success of the military effort in dislodging the militants, government should also undertake the urgent rehabilitation of the Niger Delta with a view to reinvigorating Nigeria’s grossly depreciated economic fortunes.