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A coalition of ethnic and civil societies in the Niger Delta, the United Niger Delta Energy Development Security Strategy ?(UNDEDSS), has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to release the white paper on the Niger Delta.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the white paper is based on the report submitted to the Federal Government by the Niger Delta Technical Committee, set up by the late President Umaru Yar’adua in December, 2008.
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In a statement yesterday, the organisation said that the white paper was part of its expectations from the government, as Nigeria marked her 51st independence anniversary.
The statement, signed by the UNDEDSS secretary-general, Mr Tony Uranta,who was a member of the technical committee, stated that, “Releasing and implementing the white paper on the report of the technical committee would put an end to the restiveness in the Niger Delta.
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“Most of the agitations of the Niger Delta people for a better life are yet to be taken care of. Releasing and implementing the white paper would leave no justification for continued agitation.
“Our judgement of the present administration would be based on significant development in the Niger Delta and we are worried that about three years after the committee’s report which encompassed all the demands of the Niger Delta people, government was yet to commence the implementation of the recommendations.?
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The technical committee, led by Mr. Ledum Mitee inaugurated in September, 2008, was tasked to collate and review all past reports on the Niger Delta, and also make other proposals that would help the Federal Government achieve sustainable development, peace, human and environmental security in the region.
The recommendations of the committee include the transformation of the region’s infrastructure and provision of jobs for unemployed youths in the area.?