By Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City
The Federal Government has met with ex-militants in the Niger-Delta region and reached a resolution to end conflicts leading to pipelines bombing.
The meeting was convened by the Special Adviser to the President on Niger-Delta Matters and Coordinator of the Amnesty Programme, Brigadier General Paul Boroh.
It was held with the Phases one, two, and three ex-militants of the amnesty programme from Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, in Benin City at the weekend.
At the meeting with the Presidential aide, which lasted over six hours, plans on how to put an end to reccurring bombings were discussed.
Speaking with newsmen after the strategic meeting, Boro declared that the recent bombing in the Niger-Delta is inflicting pains on Nigerians and reducing the economic fortunes of the country.
He then urged the militants to discuss whatever issues they have appropriately rather than resort to violent means.
He added that plans are in top gear to provide welfare and housing scheme for the ex-militants aside from its usual programme and projects that are on-going, stressing that the current situation in the region has rendered the country impotent.
Boroh explained that the meeting was convened, because “This amnesty programme is our programme and what has brought us here is something that is happening now that affects all of us, whether you are living in the creeks or outside. It is the issue of pipeline vandalism which I understand some people do it to make people feel bad or get recognised”.
According to him, “If you have issues, if you have misunderstanding, if you have anything worrying you at all, you should discuss it with the person you feel can solve the problem rather than go and destroy pipeline that is affecting the whole environment.
“The common factor is security challenges we are facing in our areas, in our region that is affecting the economy of the country. It is another aspect that we should not be indulging in. If you have an issue with anybody plet discuss it with the person better than bombing pipeline that would affect the environment. Personally it makes me feel bad that we don’t know how to solve our problem”.
While speaking with the ex-militants, Boroh said, “it is our responsibility to make sure that security in our environment is well sorted out. Please let us do everything we can to make sure that doesn’t occur again”.
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