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Why Niger-Delta Leaders Don't Want Another Summit (Page 4 of 4) Is there a communication gap? It is not clear whether President Yar'Adua is paying full attention to the suggestions of Dr. Jonathan and Elder Orubebe on the way out of the Niger-Delta crisis or there are other people advising him on what to do and what not to do. This is because the promise and assurance by the duo (Jonathan and Orubebe) that Yar'Adua would visit Niger-Delta to see things for himself soon has not materialised. It is as if they are sermonizing and the President is doing another thing all together. Orubebe told Vanguard to wait and see whether the President will not visit soon, but, almost three months after and one year of his administration, YarAdua has not deemed it necessary to visit the region, which holds the key to the nations economic existence. Member of the House of Representatives, Hon Patrick Obahiagbon, Warri-based constitutional lawyer, Akpo Mudiaga-Odje and a host of others had challenged on different occasions in the last one year to pay a visit to the creek so as to enable him appreciate the pains of the people. In theory, the projections of Elder Orubebe on why the Federal Government wants to hold a summit on the Niger-Delta before embarking on projects sound good, but, practically, the people think the government is moping. Sloppy sensitisation campaign On its part, the Federal Government has not carried out a fitting enlightenment campaign on the purpose of the summit, and that is why it appears to some people to be a time-buying strategy for you do not teach the paths of the forest to an old gorilla. For instance, it has not really bothered to explain the speculation on the choice of Ambassador Gambari as the chairman of the proposed summit even as the stakeholders split hair over the matter. The explanation the government is supposed to make is being offered by other persons and groups. For example, it took the intervention of the Niger-Delta Civil Society Stakeholders Forum (NDCSSF), a Non Governmental Organization, encompassing above 450 grassroots-based organizations, youth bodies, women groups, human rights groups and political stakeholders, drawn from all the states in the region, last month, before the vociferous outburst against the government over the choice of Gambari was trimmed down. The group, headed by Dr. Benjamin Irikefe described as uninformed the series of bickering and opposition mounted by some persons and groupings over the choice of world celebrated diplomat, Prof Ibrahim Gambari, as the chairman of the proposed Federal Government-sponsored Niger-Delta Summit. The forum is of the view that opposing the appointment of Prof Gambari, can be akin to cutting off the nose to spite the face, as the said Prof Gambari is well-tested world acclaimed international diplomat and United Nations under Secretary General, who has proved his mettle and performed creditably, will in the UN assignments he has undertaken. In as much as people are entitled to their views, the NDCSSF said it was at a loss as to the suggestion of some persons that a foreigner should be picked to chair the summit, declaring that it was fully in support of Prof Gambari and urging the Federal Government to fix a date for the jaw-jaw. â Å"The Forum is at a loss as to how total strangers should be brought be brought into Nigeria to preside over such important summit, aimed at addressing the deplorable situation in the Niger-Delta region. Are we telling the world that Nigeria has no single credible person to chair such a summit? Is it not Nigeria that has produced the Chukwuma Soludos, Dora Akinluyis and Phillip Emegwalis, it added. The NDCSSF queried, Why all he hues and cries about Nigerian content, neo-colonialism and local participation if a distinguished Nigerian would not preside over a summit on the Niger-Delta. It pointed out, however, that it was not against international participation, inputs or facilitation in the proposed summit, but, It considers it not proper to bring foreigners and total strangers to chair the said summit as been suggested in some quarters. The Irikefe-led group posited, More so, mere chairing the summit cannot be tactically used to frustrate the decisions reached at the summit, as conclusions, distillates and positions reached at both plenary and syndicate sessions shall be well known and vividly captured by participants/attendees/stakeholders. It said stakeholders in the Niger-Delta should come out with their articulated positions and crack their brains on how decisions reached at the summit would be expeditiously implemented by the government, the oil companies and others, instead of bickering over the chairmanship of the summit. Rather than bickering over chairmanship, the group said it was the participants and not chairman that can influence the outcome of the summit and charged Niger-Deltans to brainstorm on the quality of representation at the summit, concise and proper articulation of the problems and their solutions, quality of deliberations and implementation strategies. It, nevertheless, advised the Federal Government to hold a pre-summit consultation, constitute an all-embracing summit organizing committee, comprising the diverse stakeholders and tested hands, and allow the committee to work out operational logistics for the summit before fixing specific dates for the summit, commencing it, producing a report, studying the report and the rest of that. If the Federal Government had heeded the advice of the group to hold a pre-summit consultation before constituting and all embracing summit organizing committee, it would not have run into the stormy waters it has found itself presently. For even Chief Clark admitted to Vanguard that even though, the Niger-Delta leaders did not see any need for a fresh summit, they were not saying that they would not be part of the planned summit, but, they should be properly briefed on the purpose, for they cannot attend a conference on Niger-Delta as strangers in their own matter. Stop procrastination In deed, there are more than enough reports and recommendations for government to kick start the development of the Niger-Delta. It too much discussion that leads to a quarrel, the Niger Delta matter had been variously discussed with tempers rising on many occasions, even at the last Constitutional Conference. So, the government must make up its mind, to develop or not develop Niger-Delta, for indecision is like the stepchild: if he doesn't wash his hands, he is called dirty, if he washes his hands, he is said to be wasting water. Enough of excuses and setting up of committees, let there be activity for action speaks louder than voice. The President has always said that the masterplan midwifed by the leadership of Timi Alaibe as Managing Director, remains the best option to develop the region. |