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At times I wonder if indeed Nigeria is united. This is because the disparity or should I call it "the divide" between the social classes that keeps widening everyday. The government isn't really helping matters because personally I think they have abandoned the important issues to see to the trivial ones. One very important issue that I think the Obasanjo administration has failed to resolve is the persistent issue of violence in the Niger Delta. This very important issue has been sidelined for so long and if this continues, I’m afraid that one of these days it might blow up in our faces. The government is more interested in increasing the pump price for petroleum and other products derived from it and they have neglected the well being of the people whose land produces this black gold for them.
People might say what has the government got to do with this since its not involved directly in crude extraction, but I think if the government put proper laws in place and also enforced these laws, the oil companies will have no choice than to comply. Also if proper planning had been done, I think the inhabitants of all the areas now affected by pollution as a direct result of the oil extraction, should have been relocated a long time ago. These people claim that they have no land to plant on, and even fishing which is the major occupation can't be done because the waters have been polluted. They lack basic amenities like schools, hospitals and even good roads. So if these things are not provided by the government then who will provide them? Ijaw, Urhobo and Itshekiri descendants who are not even residents in their own communities are living in fear in their various bases because the safety of their families back at home can't be guaranteed. How long with this continue?
Many innocent people have been sent to their early graves as a result of this prolonged fighting. Whenever there is an outbreak of violent demonstrations, the oil companies close up their fields and flee because some of their workers have been killed or kidnapped by the militant youths. What image of Nigeria is being projected to the outside world by all these activities? How can foreign investors be attracted to a country where their safety will not be guaranteed?
A house divided against itself can not stand says the Holy Book. I think the time for change is now. If we all fold our arms and act as if we are not affected, it won't take long before it will spread to other parts of Nigeria, since oil has been discovered in some other parts outside the Niger Delta.
The government should find out those supporting the youths in terms of finances, arms and ammunition; this will also lead to a reduction in the importation of arms and general gun related violence. Also, basic amenities should be provided. Jobs should be made available for the today’s youths especially since an idle mind is the devil's workshop.
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motunrayoh!
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