Buhari govt treating Niger Delta amnesty programme ‘casually’ – Edwin Clark

A former federal commissioner of information, Edwin Clark, has advised Niger Delta militants to desist from bombing pipelines and oil installations in the oil-rich region.

But Mr. Clark warned that the “casual” approach of the current government to the Amnesty Programme introduced by the Umaru Yar’Adua administration poses “grave danger” for the country.
“On every platform that I stand, and have done all my life, I have long become firmly convinced that dialogue beats violence, any time,” Mr. Clark told journalists on Tuesday.
“It was on this platform that I took very high personal risks in entering the jungle dens, creeks and the high seas in the very tense days of the Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and the late Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua administrations to get them to lay down their arms.
“It paid off, and the country benefited from the outcome, the Amnesty Programme, now being casually treated with grave potential consequences,” he said.
President Muhammadu Buhari has cut funding for the amnesty programme, citing corruption.
A new group, called Niger Delta Avengers, which says it is fighting for a sovereign Niger Delta, has taken responsibility for a series of attacks on oil facilities in the Niger Delta.
Mr. Clark, a leader of the Ijaw nation, said that the new wave of attacks and the attendant impact on national economy were of concern to him.


“I therefore see no reason for this new round of assault as it is not in any way beneficial to anybody. In my many years of leadership at various levels in this country, I know that any resurgence to violence and insecurity only leaves a trail of tension, neglect, pain and wanton violence in the areas concerned,” Mr. Clark.
“Even when security forces move in with intention of restoring law and order, it is the innocent villagers, in particular women, children, and the old, who suffer most.
“The Niger Delta is yet to recover from the season of violence which we experienced between 2005 – 2009 and wouldn’t encourage any more casualties in the name of fighting for God knows what.” Clark said.
“I, therefore, strongly call on the Niger Delta Avengers and any others of like mind, to desist, forthwith, from their activities, and embrace dialogue as the best means of having their grievances assuaged,” he added.