Delta groups call for probe into oil accidents

Community leaders in five of Nigeria’s southeastern states have called on the federal government to set up a judicial commission into all oil- and gas- related tragedies in the area, ‘The Guardian’ newspaper reported. Participants at a weekend conference on the area’s many problems said the panel should have powers to recommend enforceable measure to prevent the recurrence of oil spills which have been damaging the environment. The participants came mainly from Akwa Ibom - venue of the conference - Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Edo states. They called for the establishment of a Niger Delta Development Bank, control of their own resources and free education for residents of the delta. The Delta Forum also advocated the holding of a national conference on ethnic nationalities, the withdrawal of all military personnel from the region. and the production by the federal government, in consultation with grassroot communities, of a blueprint for the development of the Niger Delta. For years, groups in the Delta have complained that their areas are neglected while oil firms pollute their environment: some youths have kidnapped oil workers to draw attention to their plight. In response, the federal government formed the Niger Development Commission. However, the conference cautioned against optimism that the commission would solve the Delta’s problems, given the failure of past initiatives by federal agencies.