Government and the Niger Delta Struggle

We believe in the rule of law and the use of dialogue as well as diplomacy as a means of resolving intractable problems. The federal government has breached various provisions of the 1999 Constitution on the matter of revenue sharing and the 13% derivation. It must no longer allow these and other issues to simmer while the storm gathers. We join other groups from the Niger Delta and Nigerian leaders in asking President Olusegun Obasanjo to listen to the legitimate demands of the people of the Niger Delta, namely

Full implementation and transparency in the disbursement of the 13% derivation fund to the 9 oil producing states.
Immediate convenance of a Sovereign National Conference where the fundamental issues of self-determination and resource control among others can be resolved.
There is a limit to which a people can be humiliated beyond which it is capable of breeding hatred and disregard for life. To understand the potency of neglect, oppression and humiliation that is felt by the people of the Niger Delta, government must learn from the cases of Palestine in the middle-east, Chechnya in Russia, and Sandinista in El Salvador. It is time that government takes seriously the demands of the people of the Niger Delta and act accordingly. It is time that government stop paying lip service to the concepts of infrastructural and sustainable economic development of the Niger Delta. The time to act is now! Any delays will not be in the interest of any and all parties.

Signed & released: November 10, 2004
Dr. Ona Pela
Urhobo Stakeholders For Change And Progress (USFCAP)

Dr. Austin Atiyota
President
Urhobo National Association of North America (UNANA)

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