SOSORC laments: Ex-Niger Delta agitators, ex-militant leaders, have betrayed us
Leaders and members of the South-South Revolutionary Coalition (SOSORC), have accused ex-Niger-Delta agitators and ex-militant leaders of betraying the Niger Delta people by conniving with the government of Nigeria, to exploit the tears, struggles, suffering and the pains of the people.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja, the convener of SOSORC, Cicero Afure reiterated that the federal government should as matter of urgency address the problems of oil spillage, environmental degradation and provide compensation for the damages suffered, due to oil exploration that has deprived the people of healthy living condition.
The group said: “Upon a careful study and review of the historic agitations by the people of the Niger-Delta, we have come to the findings that some of the past self-acclaimed ex-Niger-Delta agitators and ex-militant leaders, betrayed our people by conniving with the oppressive government of Nigeria, to exploit the tears, struggles, suffering and the pains of our people, in exchange for massive acquisition of our collective wealth into their personal pocket at the detriment of our genuine agitations for a massive development and industrialization of the region, that is not of collective benefit to the entire people of the Niger Delta.”
The group disassociated itself from all activities of the ex- Niger-Delta agitators and ex-militant leaders, adding that whatever settlement, amnesty, understanding and resolution reached by the ex-Niger Delta militant leaders and the federal government is not binding on the modern youths of the South-South region.
However, SOSORC condemned all forms of illegal oil bunkering by oil and gas mafias and also condemned the illegal invasion of different part of the country and kidnapping activities by bandits decorated as hunters.
SOSORC urged the federal government to mandate all multinationals and indigenous oil companies operating in the Niger-Delta to relocate their operational and administrative headquarters to the Niger-Delta region, particularly within the states of their exploration to enhance development of the region.
SOSORC also urged the federal government to mandate all oil companies operating in the Niger Delta region to carry out effective and meaningful corporate social responsibilities programmes that will enhance human capital and infrastructural development.
SOSORC declared that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has failed in its mandate, demanding that the federal government should review the activities of the NDDC, PAP and other intervention body of the region to reflect the current needs of the people.
