By Walter Duru
A Non-governmental
Organisation, Media Initiative against Injustice, Violence and Corruption-
MIIVOC has called on Rivers State Governor, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike to step in and
resolve the difference between the Egi Community in Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local
Government Area of the State and Total Oil Company in the area before it
degenerates.
Executive Director
of MIIVOC, Dr. Walter Duru, who made the call in a Statement made
available to newsmen, in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, warned that the
lingering disagreement between the two parties could worsen the already
threatened security situation in the area.
“I read in the
papers recently where a group that identified itself as Egi Freedom Fighters
gave conditions for acceptance of the state government’s amnesty. Among their
demands are: the rebuilding of houses of members of the community, allegedly
destroyed by the military at the instance of the Oil Company; employment and
Scholarship opportunities, skills acquisition, capacity development, among
others. I have not read any reaction from Total Oil Company, accepting that
they sent the Military to destroy the people’s houses or denying it. It does
not appear to me like a good strategy. Although they did not indict the state
government, the government’s response so far could be better.”
“I am afraid that
if the parties do not find a way to resolve the issues, the tension in the area
could be further heightened. ONELGA LGA is already tensed. Omoku community is
today a shadow of itself. Government must be strategic in its engagements, to
ensure that the near culture of violence in the area is not sustained. The
group’s demands, apart from that of rebuilding of houses, are not different
from the age-long issues and causes of agitation in the Niger Delta. The group
has listed their demands. There has to be a way out. Let the government
intervene.”
“The State
governor, as Chief Security Officer of the State must step in, reach out to the
parties and, if possible, involve an independent Civil Society Organisation to
broker peace among the parties. Whatever strategy to be adopted must be such
that can stand the test of time and ensure sustainable peace in the area. “
Continuing, Duru,
a Communication and Public Relations expert argued that it is easier to prevent
the escalation of the issue, than to manage the crises when it eventually
escalates, urging the government to act urgently.
“The state
government’s amnesty programme appears to be working. Many have embraced it.
However, borrowing a leaf from the parable of the lost sheep in the Bible,
Governor Wike, as father of the state should look into the matter
dispassionately and ensure that justice is done. Let a platform be created for
dialogue between the community and the company so the issues would be
addressed. Applying force in the matter could backfire. Let dialogue be the
instrument.”
Dr. Walter Duru is
Chairman, Board of the Freedom of Information Coalition, Nigeria, as well as a
member of the Federal Government’s Steering Committee on the Open Government
Partnership.
MILITANCY: MIIVOC TASKS WIKE, TOTAL ON DIALOGUE
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