From Tony Osauzo, Benin
FEDERAL Government and former Niger Delta militants rose from a meeting at the weekend and pledged to work together to put a stop to the spate of bombings and pipelines vandalism in the country.
The meeting convened in Benin, Edo State, by the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Matters and coordinator of the Amnesty Programme, Brigadier General Paul Boroh, and attended by Phase one, two and three ex-militants of the amnesty programme from Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Edo states, ruminated on how to put an end to reccurring bombings, particularly of oil installation and facilities.
He expressed optimism that the outcome of the meeting would end the circle of violence in the region, saying, “we have all resolved that we will put our heads and hands together to prevent the re-occurrence of this type of thing. Collectively, we (Federal Government and Niger Delta Avengers) have agreed to work as a team to prevent re-occurrence. We feel bad that it is happening, it is affecting our economy and it is affecting development and we are very concerned about it.”
Brigadier-Gen. Boro who spoke to journalists after the meeting, said the bombings in the Niger Delta was inflicting pains on Nigerians and reducing the economic fortune of the country. He called on those carrying out the bombings to discuss whatever issues they have appropriately rather than resort to other means.