Kalango Tasks N’Delta Agitators On Peace

Against the backdrop
of the ongoing meeting of leaders of the Niger Delta to deliberate on the unfortunate incidence of resurgence of militancy in the region and suggest the way forward, militants have been advised to review their strategy and embrace peace.
The call was made by a cleric and chieftain of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW). Pastor O. D. Kalango in an interview with The Tide, in his office in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Pastor Kalango noted that in as much as he believed in the unity of Nigeria, it was ironical that resources from the Niger Delta have been utilized in the development of the entire country to the utter neglect of the Niger Delta region.
He observed that though democracy was a tolerable form of government the skewed nature of federalism as practised in Nigeria always places the minority groups at the receiving end and called on the majority to administer the country with a human face.
Pastor Kalango, who is the chairman of the Rivers State Chapter  of NURTW noted that there was urgent need for the restructuring of the country in line with the principle of fiscal federalism to enable federating units exploit the numerous resources that abound in other parts of the country.
He said that since the federal government has made the fight against corruption its cardinal principle of governance, it should address it holistically.
According to Kalango, a situation whereby the fight against corruption is perceived to be selective would not augur well for the much needed unity of the country, adding that so fair, the crusade is perceived as being vindictive as some persons appear to be immune from prosecution.
The cleric appealed to militant groups all over the country to restrategise by embracing dialogue in order to achieve lasting peace adding that as long as there is oppression of some groups, all forms of agitation must rear their heads.
He called on various agitators to utilize their representatives in the National Assembly instead off resorting to violence which he said spells more difficulty for the poor masses.

Victor Tew