Posted by By FEMI FOLARANMI, Yenagoa on
Ahead the announcement of a new chairman for the steering committee of the proposed Niger Delta summit by the federal government, the first military governor of old Rivers State and Amanyanabo of Town Brass, His Royal Highness Alfred Papapreye Diete-Spiff has declared that the region does not need external intervention to resolve its problems.
Ahead the announcement of a new chairman for the steering committee of the proposed Niger Delta summit by the federal government, the first military governor of old Rivers State and Amanyanabo of Town Brass, His Royal Highness Alfred Papapreye Diete-Spiff has declared that the region does not need external intervention to resolve its problems.
Prof Ibrahim Agboola Gambariearlier announced as Chairman had 'excused" himself from the summit last week due to the mounting opposition to his appointment by groups, elders and leaders of the region.
King Diete-Spiff in an interview with Daily Sun in Yenagoa said the region does no need any international figure to come and tell it how to plot it development.
According to him the crisis is the region had escalated in recent times because deprivation and dehumanization has been visited on the people.
This he explained has provoked the youths to take up arms and behave in ways they believed could solve the problems.
His words: 'The problem with the Niger Delta is deprivation. The Niger Delta has been deprived and dehumanized. The youths have been dehumanized and so they are behaving in a manner they believed is in their interests.
'The Niger Delta problem can be solved by Niger Delta people themselves. We don't need any international figure to come and tell us how to break periwinkles"
On the perceived notion held by some sections of the country that Niger Delta leaders should be held responsible for the underdevelopment of the region, he noted that while some leaders of the region could share the blame of its underdevelopment, he however added that it is a recognized fact the terrain is difficult to develop.
'No no that is a general statement. The leadership might have some blame but by and large from the Willinks report it has been recognized that the region is a difficult terrain that needs a lot of funds for development" he said.
On the sincerity of the Yar' Adua government to resolve the Niger Delta problem, King Diete- Spiff maintained that the government is doing its best to bring about stability in the region, stressing that the elders and the leaders are also helping with advises to bring the crisis to an end.
Hear him: 'Everything is been pushed by the government to try and make headway and solve the problem and the summit is what they felt would help. We have already given advice on what should be done. We have noted the issue of past committee and conferences and believe the government would take a final decision.
'The Yar'Adua government has been doing its best and the summit is what they believe can solve the problem and the leaders have also admitted and have given them considered advise. We are waiting for their final decision"