On Resource Control We Stand –Amaechi

The Rivers State Government says the struggle for resource control remains a major ingredient in finding a lasting peace in the Niger Delta.
Besides, it insisted that it would not compromise its stand against common criminals who have hijacked the Niger Delta agitation for personal gains.
Speaking through his deputy, Engr Tele Ikuru at a stakeholders forum organised by presidential committee on amnesty and rehabilitation in Port Harcourt, Governor Chibuike Amaechi affirmed that the Niger Delta struggle is real and therefore should be addressed with urgency it deserves.
Governor Amaechi welcomed the Federal Governments gesture and called on the militants to retrace their steps and embrace peace.
Throwing more light on why the region is still involved in violence Governor Amaechi said that the federal government has only paid lip service to the development of the region.
He cited the case of the abandoned Bonny/Bodo Road, and petroleum Institute sited in Bonny Island, including other projects that never saw the light of the day since the last 10 years.
On the other hand, the Rivers State chief executive says there was need to differentiate criminals from real agitators following the amnesty.
Governor Amaechi declared:’ We are still wondering what the kidnap of a three year –old child and that of a 90 year-old man got to do with resource control.”.
He lamented that the agitation has unfortunately been hijacked by criminal elements saying, “in the last 10 kidnappings we have been able to burst are people from the neighbouring states”.
Urging the criminals to change from their ways he called on them to embrace the amnesty gesture and sieze their activities.
Earlier in his address, chairman of the presidential committee, Air Vice Marshall Avarile disclosed that the government has established four arms return centres in Rivers State.
The exercise tagged: Amnesty for freedom and development according to the Airforce chief would expire by October 4, while the actual arms return exercise would commence on August 6th of this year.
Immediately the militants return their arms, Ararile disclosed that they would be absorbed into rehabilitation centres manned by nurses, doctors and psychiatrists and other professionals to return them.