…Attack another Chevron pipeline
From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
THE Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), has rebutted the peace moves by the Federal Government as it blew up another Chevron pipeline in Dibi, Delta State.
The Presidency had ordered a ceasefire to pave way for the National Security Adviser (NSA) General Mohammed Babagana Mugono-led committee to dialogue with militants who claimed responsibility for the bombing of oil installations in the region.
Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo also met with governors of the states in the Niger Delta during which they reached an agreement for the military to vacate Niger Delta communities, except the waterways.
However, in a move that indicated that it was not ready for ceasefire, NDA blew up Well RMP 20 belonging to Chevron located 20 meters away from Dibi flow Station in Warri North LGA.
In a two-line statement yesterday by Brig. Gen. Murdoch Agbinibo, NDA said: “We’re not negotiating with any committee,” adding that, “if Federal Government is discussing with any group, they’re doing that on their own.”
Meanwhile, former leaders of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), drawn from the nine states again appealed to members of the NDA to dialogue with the Federal Government in its renewed peace efforts in the oil region.
The former leaders of MEND under the aegis, Leadership, Peace and Cultural Development Initiative (LPCDI) in a statement signed by its national president, Reuben Clifford Wilson (a.k.a General Pastor) while condemning bombing of oil installations said an honest look at the actions of the NDA would show that the bombing of pipeline and other vices would have a lasting negative effect on the environment.
The former MEND leaders who said they did not want soldiers to invade Niger Delta communities like they did in North East, appealed to members of NDA to channel their grievances through appropriate quarters, instead of destroying oil installations. They also commended the Federal Government for withdrawing the military from the communities to allow for a meaningful dialogue, noting that, “a platform should be created to allow stakeholders’ participation.”
The statement continued: “The national leadership and the nine states coordinators of Leadership, Peace and Cultural Development Initiative (LPCDI) wish to appeal to the members of the Niger Delta Avengers and any other groups involved in the recent destructions of oil facilities in the Niger Delta region to re-consider their activities and yield to the call from the Presidency for a dialogue as a mean of finding lasting solutions to their grievances.
“President Muhammadu Buhari’s desire to kick start the Ogoni Clean Up exercise is a clear demonstration that PMB has the Niger Delta at heart and would do anything possible to alleviate the suffering of the people of the region and needs our collective support to achieve that, hence, a call for laying down your arms for a meaningful dialogue is highly solicited.”