Former Niger Delta Militant ‘Ex-General’ Bonanawei has commended for approving the 3rd phase of the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme. “the 3rd phase of the amnesty is a step forward in the right direction and we will join others to preach for peace and unity for the overall development in Niger Delta and Nigeria” Bonanawei said in a statement emailed to Newsdiaryonline.com.
He noted that “The Niger Delta problem is an enormous one which cannot be resolved in a short time.But the approval of the 3rd phase amnesty is a right step for enduring peace in Niger Delta. We are aware that the federal amnesty programme is not a catalyst for permanent peace in Niger Delta as far as the problem of underdevelopment of Niger Delta continuously looking us stark in the face”
Read the full text of his statement below:
I, Ex-General Bonanawei, aka gods of the Niger Delta and leader of all ex-militants in the 3rd phase amnesty programme hereby on behalf of all ex-militants congratulate late President Musa Yar’Adua (who initiated the amnesty programme, President Goodluck Jonathan, National Security Adviser, Dasuki Sambo, Special adviser to the President Niger Delta and Chairman federal amnesty programme, Hon. Kingsley Kuku, Ijaw National Leader, Chief E.k Clark, Tompolo, Asari Dokubo and others who made the 3rd phase amnesty programme become a reality.
The Niger Delta problem is an enormous one which cannot be resolved in a short time.But the approval of the 3rd phase amnesty is a right step for enduring peace in Niger Delta. We are aware that the federal amnesty programme is not a catalyst for permanent peace in Niger Delta as far as the problem of underdevelopment of Niger Delta continuously looking us stark in the face .But the approval of the 3rd phase of the amnesty is a step forward in the right direction and we will join others to preach for peace and unity for the overall development in Niger Delta and Nigeria.
It is on record that the Kaduna distribution pipeline in Delta state which is owned by Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NNPC) belongs to the gods of the forest and my ex-combatants of Niger Delta and, I want to use this medium to appeal that federal Government should ensure by doing the right thing at the right time not to make some of us return to the creek by doing what we were doing. Nobody does not like peace in his life as peace is the ultimate and no society grows without peace and tranquility.
I urge leaders, especially the ex-combatants in the Niger Delta Struggle to remember that the Niger Delta struggle is not over yet, therefore, I urge all leaders of ex-combatants in Niger Delta for one love, unity and co-operation to move the Niger Delta forward .If there is problem in Niger Delta, that problem is Nigeria’s problem because Niger Delta is the heart of Nigeria.
Signed
Col. Pascal, Spokesman to Bounanawei.