‘Attacks on oil facilities not best way to call FG’s attention’
The Mayor of Urhoboland and an ex-militant leader, Eshanakpe Israel (aka Akpodoro) has condemned the recent attacks and damage done to pipelines in Urhobo and Isoko lands, saying such actions should be condemned by all well-meaning citizens of the country, particularly Niger Deltans. Akpodoro, who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, said destroying national […]
The Mayor of Urhoboland and an ex-militant leader, Eshanakpe Israel (aka Akpodoro) has condemned the recent attacks and damage done to pipelines in Urhobo and Isoko lands, saying such actions should be condemned by all well-meaning citizens of the country, particularly Niger Deltans.
Akpodoro, who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, said destroying national patrimonies in the region shouldn’t be the best way to call for the attention of the federal government.
He argued that aggrieved members of the public should rather than resort to violence, open correspondence with the government through trusted channels of communication.
Niger Delta, according to the former warlord, needs peace and development and not violent confrontation with government.
A group, Delta Strike Force (DSF), had reportedly claimed responsibility for damage done to a portion of Kokori pipelines at Erhaike and another one in Ozoro both in Ethiope East and Isoko North Local Government Areas of Delta State.
The group hinged its reasons for the attacks on a pipeline surveillance contract of OML 30 and 34 awarded Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, the governorship candidate of the All Peoples Congress (APC) in the just concluded general elections in the state.
The militia group was alleged to have given the FG conditions for the resolution of the violent attacks to include: that the contract be withdrawn from the contractor handling the surveillance and awarded to their leaders; that the East-West Road should be fixed for the regional commuters; that gas flaring in the state be stopped immediately.
Other conditions for peace, according to the group, include the activation of the Delta Steel Company (DSC) and the same be brought into the mainstream production sector of the Nigerian economy; and the immediate engagement of all youths who were involved in the war against the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).
Akpodoro argued that inasmuch as the group has a good case, violence is not a solution but a peaceful approach in a healthy engagement with the authorities.
However, the former militant leader blamed the FG for what he described as its poor reward system and lackadaisical approach to the resolution of the grievances of the citizens.