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“Light up the Niger Delta, Don't Burn it,” Grace Alele-Williams
AFTER today, is it going to be business as usual for a select group of Nigerians or shall we have a president who can demonstrate the political will to care for all, and make us one Nigeria? Mr. President has many hard choices before him and several areas seeking priority attention in his programmes. The Niger Delta is perhaps the most important item on his agenda, because now, it is the greatest source of wealth for the country. We must not allow the problem there to shake us. The management of the situation in the Niger Delta may be Mr. President's greatest test. It is the area where he can demonstrate his character, his capability, astuteness, his wisdom and to bring together an inclusive government where no one is oppressed. We all must begin to believe very strongly that peace, security, justice and equity will be the hallmarks of the Yar'Adua administration. We need peace and security through out all of Nigeria, but even more so in the Niger Delta. The Niger Delta is the place to show his initiative and demonstrate his strength. Mr. President "Light up the Niger Delta. Do not allow it to burn" A continuation of hard fighting, hostage taking, the army, the navy, the gunboats, air surveillance is not the way to real peace in the Delta. That appears to be an Iraqi solution. More of the carrot and less of the stick is a better way. That carrot will mean immediate activities that can affect a vast number of the people - old and young who believe they have been dis-enfranchised. We must work hard together to change the mindset of persons who believe they have been unjustly treated. The old who are in despair, a teaming youthful population who have acquired many anti social values and appear to believe that hard work and honesty lead to poverty and degradation but that militancy and sycophancy bring quick results, money, affluence and position in a class of society that appears devoid of moral values. Mr. President, with your authority, and moral stand you can persuade oil and gas companies to work with State governments to provide light and power. In partnership with credible NGOs, who may have established a record for positive change in communities, and who in addition have demonstrated their capacity for partnership in development and can target and focus on relevant and useful developmental projects. Given the presence of power and light, and the initiative of the indigenes, more communities' will work to alleviate poverty in their midst. The NGOs in partnership with the communities must demonstrate they can help to improve indigenous trades and skills, improve communication and assist communities to become owners of those services, products or projects that can be introduced for development within the community. Using gas that would have been wasted or flared does not prevent the rich oil and gas companies from making huge profits from the oil and gas they are exporting. More importantly, it helps to demonstrate their own capacity to build correct relationships that will help to bring peace. Remember, oil and gas are wasting assets; the important thing is to create employment and build peace. We recommend the use of miniature turbines to assist in converting into energy and light. Initially, this may be more expensive than diesel and generators, but in less than two years, it would be less expensive to maintain. In any case an expensive project in this difficult terrain, that is the source of our wealth, but which will help to eradicate poverty, will begin to build solid trust among the people. They actually will see and feel and enjoy 24/7, their own democratic dividends. This suggestion promotes a situation where the use of turbines can eventually ensure that isolated areas (difficult terrain) are lighted and become focal and link market towns in future. However we are seeking to deal with long term neglect. We also want to ensure peace and security in various parts of this terrain. We want free access to them, and for them, free access to us, without danger. We must then focus on education of the youth as we direct restless energy of youth into productive areas. Warri, Sapele, Burutu and Koko were ports, which engage thousands of youths. A peaceful riverine area will bring these Ports alive. We should not initiate policies that could destroy these Port. We need them to provide work for the youths. These Ports can provide outlets to a rich hinterland that produces rubber, vegetable oils, starch, rice and various nuts. With peace in the area, these four ports can be dredged if necessary and that would make a world of difference to the whole area. And the restive youth can be employed in productive and fulfilling work. As I was once privileged to hear at an open forum, it is not the boy boy bunkering in our waterways that deprives Nigeria of her wealth in oil; It is rather the international bunkering that is the major hazard and the problem. If there is any correctness in that allegation then the EFCC and the ICPC are the institutions to cope with that problem. Meanwhile, generating light, skills, and home based jobs and occupations for the youths and not so youthful in our communities and in our Ports will guarantee employments. Where there is light and there is work, poverty will be alleviated, and they will be hope. Then, Mr. President there is the question of women. The past three decades have shown that educated women can hold positions of power and responsibility just like men. For every woman that has performed well in private or public sector there are thousands of women that are not in the public glare but are doing exceedingly well for home and country. So Mr. President, why not ensure, with all the authority and power you can command that all girls really access education and remain in school, from Primary 1 to JSS3 i.e., age 15. Early marriage and the scourge of underage pregnancy, which result in female lifelong devastating health problems must be stopped and if possible, by law. Mr. President, I beg of you. At the same time why not encourage more competent female professionals into the top layer of Government. More women can break the glass ceilings. Women should not be seen as Lady Chairman or Woman leader. They should be voted in as LEADERS. Sir, the political parties can have more women members if the waters were not seen as murky and hostile with positions defined for women by men. There's a general belief that our environment is not clean to say the least. Is it possible to introduce prizes for cleanest state or cleanest city?. States that demonstrate that they have in place planned and actualized projects for the treatment of waste in the rural and urban areas within the next two years of your administration should be give prices. Perhaps Local Government Councils in this new dispensation might come to appreciate that the Constitution actually has responsibilities for them in their areas not just to collect monthly allocations but to improve the environment for the masses. Then sir, in our new UBE education program, major emphasis must be placed on boys and girls to acquire practical skills and competencies in the JSS1-III. This does not preclude academic work but it must emphasize practical work that is useful to the area, as well as prepare them for Agriculture. This could be linked to apprenticeship system, for industry and or agriculture at age 15. This should assist towards actually providing youths into the work force by age 15 with necessary basic skills, and with the provision of light, water, roads and waterways, many youths can begin to be self employed. Sir I am sure that Education at this level is by our Constitution within the jurisdiction of the State. But strongly advice Governors to retain educational institutions in the hands of educationist, not politicians. Mr. President Sir, can the Governors be gently persuaded to compete on what percentage of their UBE graduands actually have been taught practical skills to meet requirements of the various occupations? . Let States be advertised not only by Federal Government allocations, but by their provision of amenities within their states every six months. Mr. President, as an adage goes fools rush in where angels fear to thread. I apologize. Forgive me further to state that many Federal elected Law Makers are alleged to have two or three major faults; It is alleged that they are quite delinquent in attending statutory meetings: That they do not do set up offices in their home base or constituencies as required by their office. Also they are alleged to spend inordinate amount of time when in Abuja, contacting ministries on personal matters and issues which for them are personally lucrative. If there is any iota of truth in the foregoing, may I humbly request that Mr. President sternly warn all elected persons into the national assemblies to carry out their duties and obligations squarely, with due diligence. Law Makers must build up understanding with their home base, study their proposals for bills, and research them carefully. They must desist from unnecessary relationships which might tend to undermine them with the ICPC or EFCC. Law Makers behavior at all times must promote good governance. I am sure there are many other areas that could be touched upon. I believe that this brief attention to the Niger Delta, women, better use of our oil resources to also include the provision of light and power in the riverine areas for Deltans, the improved use of Deltan ports to promote employment and create wealth for more Nigerians are very important items in Mr. President's agenda. o Prof. Williams is former Vice-Chancellor, University of Benin and first female Vice Chancellor in Nigeria.
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