The federal government has blamed the country’s economic uncertainties on increase in armed robbery, kidnapping, communal tensions, pipeline vandalism and oil theft across the Niger Delta region.
The permanent secretary, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Engr. Olufunso Adebiyi, stated this in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital yesterday, during the inauguration of the Niger Delta Regional Peacebuilding Strategy Technical Working Group.
The working group is expected to complete its assignment on or before 90 working days from today, having been inaugurated.
Adebiyi further stated that President Muhammadu Buhari has mandated the ministry to develop a security framework for participatory incident reporting and strengthening of rural-urban security in the Niger Delta region.
He said, “Recent trends has however, indicated an increase in violent agitations and general insecurity which has unfortunately made the region volatile and unattractive for investors despite the huge potential that abound.
“Businesses are being shut on certain days in some states, there is an increase in armed robbery, kidnapping, communal tensions, pipe line vandalism, oil theft etc. across the Niger Delta region.
“The destruction of national assets such as pipeline vandalism and oil theft has resulted in the country’s dwindling oil production.
“This has exposed the country to a lot of economic uncertainties, as it has become difficult to meet up with its OPEC quota, control a fast rising inflation and adequately fund the annual budgets.
“As part of the efforts lined up by the federal government to reverse this ugly trend, permit me to inform you that, Mr. President had mandated the ministry to develop a security framework for participatory incident reporting and strengthening of rural-urban security in the Niger Delta region.
“This non-kinetic approach seeks to bring together all critical stakeholders to a round table to brainstorm and develop a regional peace building strategy for the Niger Delta region.”
Speaking during the inauguration, Advocacy Manager of the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND), Mr Chuks Ofolue, tasked stakeholders in the region on approaches to conflict resolution, peace and security in the region .
Ofolue said historical tensions and a proliferation of armed groups contribute to the changing conflict and security dynamics in the region.
He identified conflict issues to include communal tensions, political competition, organized criminality, and resource-based conflicts, warning that if these conflicts are not addressed appropriately, they could continue and even worse, escalate into violence that could derail peace in the region.
