The recent proclamation for the grant of amnesty extended to those involved either directly or indirectly in the militant activities in the Niger-Delta region by President Umar Musa Yar’adua has brought about different reactions among Nigerians. While some see it as a good step, others see it the other way round without suggesting at least a way forward.

Before the federal government issued a road map for the amnesty many people were having doubts on government’s sincerity on the issue. Now that it is out what good we can see from it, what are the gaps and the way out for peace to reign in Nigeria?

Disarmament, pardon and rehabilitation of the militants are among the good things that this amnesty will bring. Although all of these are good and needed for any road map to peace there still remains a lot to be done.

First of all publicising the names of militants’ sponsors is paramount for it may reduce or bring an end to the sponsoring of militants. The second thing is for government to inform its citizens the source of funds for amnesty expenditures.

Thirdly the sincerity of the militants that accept or will accept the amnesty should be ascertained. Government should ensure a complete disarmament from those that accept the amnesty and so doing, government can employ the service of experienced police, military and other intelligent officers (both serving and retired).

Although amnesty is being granted to militants, nothing yet has been issued about the civilians that died because of the whole militancy and those that are destabilised in the region and ultimately the soldiers that are either wounded or that died in the cause of fighting for the nation. On the one hand the federal government should as a matter of urgency rehabilitate and compensate the poor villagers so that they can go on with their daily activities. And on the other hand the president should compensate and give a national honour to at least those army officers that are either wounded or lost their lives in the cause of fighting for the nation.

Militancy in the Niger Delta will never stop if stealing (bunkering) of crude oil continues. It is therefore necessary for the federal government to put in place machineries for combating this ugly trend and to also be able to account for the crude oil drilled and exported.

In conclusion it has become obvious that diversification for the source of revenue other than oil by the federal and state governments is necessary and need urgent attention, because whoever is beaten once should not allow the second beaten for he will indeed be shy.

Let’s start with the amnesty as it is one way of bringing peace internationally.

By: Marwan H. Abdulkarim

From Aberdeen, Scotland