Worried by the gradual, but growing tension especially among Itsekiri and Ijaw nations over oil pipeline security contract, a group Global Peace Movement has appealed against any move that can exacerbate ethnic tension in the Niger Delta.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, the president general of the group Dr Mike Uyi noted how through the action and inaction of NNPCL, the area is gradually becoming restive because of mutual suspicion among the citizens of both nationals in the region.
This development, he noted, is recreating a problem that was laid to rest in the past under the administration of late Umar Year Adua.
“The attention of Global Peace Movement International has been drawn to an alleged attempt by NNPCL to deny landlords their legal rights, thereby making them tenants on their land, a situation that is already causing tension,” he said.
According to him, the renewal of the pipeline security contract by NNPCL and the protection and maintenance of the crude oil and export pipeline currently being executed by a company called PINEL is causing tension.
He said currently, the company employs a large number of Itsekiri youths, but some persons want it ceded to an Ijaw-owned company.
This, he said, is brewing ethnic tension; therefore needless if the right thing is done.
“It should be noted that 30km of the export pipeline runs through Itsekiri land while only 3km runs through Ijaw area. PINEL knows clearly the high sensitivity of this area and it is of great concern that if not properly managed, it could resort to a serious crisis in the region.”
Dr Uyi is of the opinion that the administration of President Bola Tinubu has enough crisis in its hands; therefore, he said there is no reason why NNPCL wants to return the country to the days of militancy.
“It could be recalled that many Nigerians lost their lives in the crisis of the Niger Delta including the military, paramilitary and civilians. Therefore in the present administration’s attempt at a careful, peaceful and thoughtful leadership of returning Nigeria to recovering its lost glory, we should not allow any form of crisis to erupt again in the Niger Delta.”
In conclusion he said, ” We call on you Mele Kyari to take urgent and immediate action to douse the tension and allow Ijaws to guard the areas under their jurisdiction and Itsekiri to equally guard areas within their jurisdiction alongside other communities.”
It could be recalled that due to incessant pipeline bombings, the federal government decided to engage indigenous outfits within the region to safeguard the pipelines and oil theft.
