Contending Issues in the Niger Delta Crisis of Nigeria - Journal of ...

Clement Odiri Obagbinoko
Midway into the Obasanjo regime, a military option was
introduced to tackle the raging spate of criminal violence and
militancy that has become so integral to restive Niger Delta. This was
the establishment of the Joint Task Force (JTF) code named,
‘Operation Restore Hope’, a machinery the Yar’Adua government has
since inherited.
The extant civilian administration of Musa Yar’Adua, has also
made some rather hazy and ambiguous effort to demonstrate
government’s commitment to resolving the Niger Delta problem. One
of such efforts was the setting up of a Committee on Conflict in Niger
Delta.
Another was the setting up of a Niger Delta Technical
Committee aimed at compiling past reports on the region.
Perhaps the most remarkable measures taken so far by the
Yar’Adua administration is the establishment of a Ministry of Niger
Delta Affairs; a perceived mark of sincerity on the part of government
to adopt a more serious antidote to the Niger Delta crisis. However,
the appointment of Chief Ufot Ekaete, as the minister in charge of the
ministry portends problems since the ministry and whoever heads it
are not likely to enjoy the best form of support from some of the
opinion leaders of the region.
It should however, be noted that
the activities of the
intervention agencies that were empowered to address the
developmental needs of the region have left much to be desired. As
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