The House of Representatives on Wednesday mandated the Joint Committee on NDDC, Niger Delta Ministry, Public Safety and National Security to investigate the performance of all bodies connected with the management of the Federal Government's amnesty programme.
The committees will also invite relevant stakeholders and fashion out a comprehensive and integrated solution to the Niger Delta problem and report back to the House within two weeks.
This resolution emanated from a motion moved by Rep. Arowosoge Abiose (ACN-Ekiti) which was unanimously adopted without debate.
It would be recalled that in August 2009, late President Umaru Yar’Adua extended amnesty to militants in the Niger Delta.
Leading the debate, Abiose noted that the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) had began a new phase of terrorist attacks on oil facilities in the Niger Delta.
He said that the movement, whose militia activities had subsided for a year, had warned that there would be several bomb attacks aimed at shutting down oil production in the country.
“MEND has concluded plans to attack South African companies having investments in Nigeria.’’ he said.
The lawmaker said the Federal Government had taken steps to address the problems in the region by the establishment of the NDDC, Niger Delta Ministry and the granting of amnesty to militants from the region.
He maintained that there was a need to address the activities of MEND as the country was still battling with the Boko Haram? insurgency which was having a ripple effect on the economy.
Abiose stressed that if threats by the MEND to attack South African interest in Nigeria were carried out, diplomatic relationship between the two countries would weaken.
In another motion, the House has mandated the committees on Appropriation and Aviation to ensure the inclusion of fund needed for the upgrading of the Ibadan Airport in the 2012 budget.
It also urged the Fedearl Airports Authourity of Nigeria (FAAN) to step up security at the airport.
This was sequel to a motion moved by Rep. Abiodun Awoleye (ACN-Oyo) which was adopted.
He noted that the airport established on June 1983, was not included in the list of five airports recently approved for upgrading.?
Similarly, the House has urged the Federal Ministry of Health , FCTA and FRSC to set up mobile emergency response units at strategic points in the FCT.
This emanated from a motion moved by Rep. Yakubu Balogun (ACN-Ogun) which was unanimously adopted.
He noted that most deaths were caused as a result of accident victims not receiving prompt medical attention.
Meanwhile, six bills were presented on the floor of the House, among them was the bill for the prohibition of violence against persons.