The group also said there was a need for the states to be controlling their resources, saying this would go a long way in addressing the ongoing economic challenges facing the country.
This was part of the resolutions reached by the Niger Delta warlords at a stakeholders’ meeting held at the residence of Senior High Chief Bibopere Ajube, at Agadagba-Obon, in Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State on Friday.
It was gathered that a similar meeting had earlier been held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Speaking on behalf of the group, an ex-Niger Delta militant leader, Chief Ben Ebikabowei aka Boyloaf revealed that the major discussion at the meeting was basically on how to ameliorate the economic hardship on the people of the region.
According to him, it was time for various states of the federation to begin to control and manage their natural resources.
He said, “We are gathered here because of the economic situation of the country and the way forward. The issue of our economy is important to us. There’s need for the Federal Government to work on how to increase our Gross Domestic Production.
“We have put heads together to ensure that things go on smoothly. We are concerned most importantly about the Niger Delta region in increase of oil output irrespective of politicians’ moves to sabotage the economy.
“As you know that this region produces what feeds this country, we must make sure the nation gets it right by fixing the economy quickly before it gets out of hands.
“It’s clear that there is no way we can survive without the increase in our productions so that our exports will outshoot our imports. We want the Federal Government to share everything to states so that they will bear the responsibilities of whatever happens in their states.”
Ebikabowei said the Niger Delta development crusaders were advising the Federal Government to ensure it met up with the quota approved for it by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to be able to arrest wide gap in the ratio of export to import.
Blaming some politicians for allegedly sabotaging the economy, the ex-militant leader noted that the nation had no reason to be suffering in the midst of the natural resources present in country if adequately explored and managed.
Ebikabowei also said politicians are major cause of insecurity in the country, stating that “the issue of insecurity in this country is political and if government is sincere to address it, it will contact (local) stakeholders and it will be solved.”
