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Renewed MEND attack: Reps to investigate amnesty programme

By staff 09/02/2012 00:00:00

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BY BEN AGANDE

ABUJA—Following resumption of hostilities in the Niger Delta by the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, the House of Representatives Wednesday directed three of its committees to investigate implementation of the amnesty programme offered militants by late former President, Umar Musa Yar’Adua.

This followed adoption of a motion by Arowosoge Abiose (ACN Ekiti), who expressed worry at the recent development in the Niger Delta, especially threat by MEND to attack South African investments in Nigeria.

According to Abiose, “MEND has concluded plans to attack South African companies in Nigeria.” He wondered why this threat would be coming at a time the Federal Government had taken steps to address problems in the region through establishment of the NDDC, Niger Delta Ministry and granting of amnesty to militants.

Describing the recent attack by MEND as uncalled for, he pointed out that diplomatic relations between Nigeria and South Africa would be seriously affected if threats by the militant group to attack South African interest in Nigeria were carried out.

He wondered why MEND, whose activities had abated for over a year following the amnesty programme, would suddenly emerge with threats that there would be several bomb attacks aimed at shutting down oil production in the country.

In a unanimous decision, the House mandated its Joint Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Niger Delta ministry, and Public Safety and National Security to investigate performance of agencies connected with the management of the amnesty programme.

The committee was also empowered to invite relevant stakeholders to appear before it, with a view to fashioning out a comprehensive and integrated solution to the Niger Delta problem and report back within two weeks.

In another resolution, the House of Representatives also mandated the Committees on Appropriation, as well as Aviation, to ensure the inclusion of funds for the upgrading of Ibadan Airport in the 2012 budget, while also urging the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, to step up security at the airport.

Abiodun Awoleye (ACN Oyo), who brought a motion drawing the attention of the House of the state of Ibadan airport, noted that since the airport was constructed in 1983, there had been no major work on it and was not even included in the list of five airports recently approved for upgrading by the Federal Government.

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