Posted by By HENRY UMAHI on
As the Niger Delta crises escalates with militant groups blowing up major oil installations in the area, the Federal Government has been advised to handle the ugly development with caution and maturity so as not to worsen the situation.
As the Niger Delta crises escalates with militant groups blowing up major oil installations in the area, the Federal Government has been advised to handle the ugly development with caution and maturity so as not to worsen the situation.
The counsel was given by international and refugee law expert, Mr. Chukwuanugo Ejikeme, who regretted that the situation was allowed to degenerate to the present sorry pass.
Speaking with Daily Sun, Ejikeme noted that if the crises was not properly managed, it would have dire consequences on our economy, adding that the image of the country and well-being of the people especially those who reside in the troubled region are at stake.
He said: 'The position of Nigeria as one of the leading oil producing nations in the world is under serious threat. The militants in the Niger Delta have already proved that they are capable of doing more damage to Nigeria's strategic oil installations and they have even threatened to do just that. The developments have caused us serious embarrassment in the international community. If these bombings continue, the socio-economic standing of the nation will be adversely affected. In fact, many foreign oil investors are already pulling out of our shores and pitching their tent in other countries where the climate is conducive for investment such as Gabon and Angola.
'Again, we should consider the safety of lives and property in the Niger Delta region while considering the measures to take. It is unfortunate that we allowed the agitation to get out of hand as it appears.
'My worry is that in the event of government adopting the military option, innocent people will become casualties or refugees in their homeland.
There will be social and economic dislocations with the attendant consequences. So it calls for caution and maturity in handling the situation. Whichever way one looks at it, it is not going to be a tea party for obvious reasons."