The Communiqué of the 2008 Isaac Boro Day Commemoration in London on the 15 &16 August 2008 organised by the Ijaw People’s Association of Great Britain and Ireland

26 August 2008: For Immediate Release

Preamble
As part of the commemoration of the 2008 Isaac Boro Day activities in the United Kingdom organised by the Ijaw People’s Association of Great Britain and Ireland opinion leaders and people of the Niger Delta deliberated on the state of the Niger Delta and its implication for the security, development and economy of Nigeria and Africa. Representations were from Nigeria , the United States of America and Europe , and included youths, elders, traditional rulers, students and professionals.
State of the Niger Delta
Conference observes that the Niger Delta is a part and parcel, and in fact a microcosm of the Nigerian state. Whatever happens to the Niger Delta affects the rest of Nigeria economically and politically. Hence Conference is alarmed at the happenings in the Niger Delta region, its lingering crises and their impact on the rest of Nigeria and Nigerians. Conference notes that the following has exacerbated the Niger Delta crises:

* The continuous underdevelopment of the Niger Delta area by subsequent federal and regional governments despite the abundance of and exploitation of natural resources from the territory.
* The non-Implementation of various recommendations of several committees, commissions and panels’ set-up by the Federal Government to tackle the Niger Delta Crises, the under-funding of such commissions and the withholding of funds designated for the development of the area.
* The activities of the multinational oil companies that destroy the environment and impinge on the livelihood, health and survival of the people such as the continuous flaring of gas and crude oil spills.
* The deliberate ostracizing of the people of the Niger Delta people from the oil and gas industry despite its negative impact on the environment, livelihood and survival of the people.
* Insecurity of lives and property caused by the militarisation of the area. Top government functionaries and security forces engage in oil theft, oil bunkering, illegal taxation, invasion of communities, killing and maiming of the people especially the youths, etc. There is a direct link between the JTF, Oil bunkering and insecurity in the Niger Delta. The presence of the JTF is exacerbating insecurity and criminal activity in the Niger Delta as persons connected officially to the NPPC, Oil companies and private business are responsible for the large percentage of oil theft in the Niger Delta. It is in their interest that insecurity reigns in the Niger Delta, as it affords them the necessary cover to continue their stealing. Therefore the JTF has now transformed itself into an obstacle of peace attainment, as it no longer has any desire to bring about actual peace and stability in the Niger Delta.
* The deliberate imposition of political leaders on the people. Such politicians lack foresight and interest in the welfare of the people but are collaborators with the oppressors in the looting of the people’s resources. Conference is strongly offended by these political elite, and their habit of imposing unscrupulous politicians on the people of the Niger Delta as leaders. We observe that failed leadership is one of the problems associated with the lingering Niger Delta crises.
* The seemingly biased and lopsided implementation of the Anti-Corruption efforts as many indicted political leaders such as former governors are being shielded from prosecution by the state. This will continue to have negative consequences for social stability and security in Nigeria , as other persons will be emboldened to also steal from the public purse, and the cycle of corruption will continue especially in the Niger Delta area. A strong anti-corruption effort is essential for resolving the lingering crises in the Niger Delta and for the overall economic health and political stability of Nigeria . It is either a peaceful revolution through a sincere anti-corruption drive or bloody upheaval caused by mass discontent. The choice is in the hands of the managers of state at Abuja .
* The continuous existence of obnoxious laws that deprive the people of their dignity, land and livelihood. These laws include the Land Use Decree, the Petroleum Decree, and the Inland Waterways Decree etc.
Resolutions
Conference resolves as follows:
* The Niger Delta problem is a problem for all of Nigeria and, therefore, should be treated with the highest level of seriousness and sincerity by the Federal Government and the international community.
* We identify with the President Umaru Yar’adua’s Seven Point agenda which has the Niger Delta a priority. We call upon the President to bring to the front burner the Niger Delta problem and resolve once and for all, all the contentious issues that are prolonging the crises.
* We call on the managers of state at the Federal level [at Abuja ] to stop the imposition of political leaders on the Niger Delta people. They should desist from such actions if they are sincere in resolving the Niger Delta crises.
* The Federal Government must as a matter of priority make the anti-corruption war more effective. The people of Nigeria demand tangible and measurable results, such as successful convictions and recovery of stolen public resources.
* The Federal Government should take immediate steps to engage, involve and include the Niger Delta people in the oil and gas industry at all levels. Conference recommends that an affirmative action programme be implemented to address this problem. In addition, the Federal Government to empower the local oil bearing communities within the framework of ownership of resources as this will ensure the security of oil/gas industry infrastructure in the area.
* We demand a time frame for the disbandment of the JTF and their replacement by a well equipped and community oriented police mobile squadron to avoid further exacerbation of the crises in the Niger Delta.
* We condemn the recent invasion and destruction of lives and property of the Agge community of Bayelsa State by the JTF.
* We call upon the Federal Government to genuinely empower the Nigeria Navy to blockade the territorial waters of Nigeria and arrest all illegal shipments of oil and not use the navy to intimidate and oppress the people of the Niger Delta.
* The Federal Government should collate and immediately implement all past recommendations & reports on the development of the Niger Delta area. This should be in conjunction with the release of all withheld funds designed for the development of the area. The government should show further commitment to the development of the Niger Delta by increasing the funding of development of the Niger Delta through the NDDC. We demand that the Security vote of over four hundred billion naira for the Niger Delta in the 2008 budget be given to the NDDC to embark on infrastructure development in the Niger Delta.
* That despite the proposed constitution review we insist that the best forum for achieving lasting peace and stability in Nigeria is through the convening of a Sovereign National conference. We resolve to use all means at our disposal to bring the convening of the Sovereign National Conference as the best forum for creating peace and stability in Nigeria .
* We call on all Ijaws and other Niger Delta ethnic nationalities to resolve all their differences and unite behind all legitimate representative organisations and political leaders; and stop all internal bickering.
We commend all genuine struggles of the Niger Delta people and extend our solidarity to all ethnic nationalities in Nigeria . Together, we shall build a better Nigeria where fairness, equity and justice will reign supreme.
Signed on behalf of Conference
Mr Benaebi Benatari (Conference Secretary) ………………..
Ms Annkio Briggs (Participant) ………………..
Dr Felix Tuodolo (Chairman INC Europe ) ………………..
Mr Rowland Ekperi (President IPA) ………………..
HRM King Ayemi Botu ………………..
(Pere of Seimbiri – Ijaw and Chair of Conference)

Posted by: Inemo Samiama