Jonathan, Bankole, Others Proffer Solution To N/Delta Crises

Soji Ajibola, Yenagoa - 09.02.2008

The Vice-President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, on Friday, described the situation in the Niger Delta region as a national embarrassment, calling for a holistic approach to the problems militating against the region.

Also, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole, and the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Chibike Amaechi, respectively condemned the act of hostage-taking and other related vices in the Niger-Delta.

Speaking at a two-day retreat of the South-South caucus of the House of Representatives in Yenagoa, Dr. Jonathan said the pathetic story of the region was that of sorrow, tears and blood.

According to him, “The Niger Delta is a national embarrassment that brings sorrow to us all and we must work assiduously to put this shame behind us. This unfortunate chapter of our nation’s history must now be brought to a close.”

Earlier in his address, Hon Bankole, acknowledged the case of underdevelopment in the region, noting that the problems had lingered for too long.

Bankole said all past efforts to address the problems facing the region had been a failure, reiterating that the setting up of Adhoc committees, intervention institutions like the Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC), and increase in derivation percentage to the oil-bearing communities have not been able to solve the problems.