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N/Delta Talks Holds in U.S this Week
- By Williams Ekanem
- Published September 13th, 2010
- Washington File
- Unrated
Bilateral cooperation between the United States of America and Nigeria deepens this week as another aspect of the bi-national commission holds in Washington D.C with representatives from the Department of States coordinating affairs.
This week’s meeting is focusing on regional security and the Niger Delta, one of the four pillars of the commission signed in April this year.
On the Nigerian side of the deliberation would be key players of those from the Niger Delta led by some of the sitting State governors.
The delicate issue of the Niger Delta was one of the driving factors behind the formation of the Commission by both countries in April.
Reports say the involvement of the Niger Delta governors from Cross Rivers, Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa-Ibom, and Delta states is a demonstration of the Commission’s resolve to get to the bottom of the violence and militancy in the oil producing area with a view to cutting off its political roots and securing their commitment to divulge and disconnect any and all links to militancy.
Addressing the press after a meeting with Henry Agomodia in early August, US Secretary of States, Hillary Clinton said that
“” this September, the Niger Delta and regional security working group will convene here in Washington to discuss ways to resolve the grievances of people living in the Niger Delta and strengthen our coordination on regional security issues, which the minister and I discussed, particularly in the Gulf of Guinea.”
According to her, “strong institutions and sound strategies for economic development, infrastructure, environmental protection, and the delivery of social services are necessary for progress in the Niger Delta.”
To preside at the meeting is the top deputy secretary on African affairs, Ambassador Johnnie Carson, the Assistant Secretary of State. Sources indicate that one of the major issues of discussion in next week’s meeting is the Amnesty programme, which the Federal Government has initiated for the Niger Delta militants, especially how to establish the programme and make it work effectively.
While the Nigerian side to the meeting will be sharing information on what has been done so far on the rehabilitation of the militants, the U.S. officials are expected to offer more practical solutions and strategies to prevent the kind of militancy and crisis that made the Niger Delta region such a lawless area for such a long time in the past.
This week’s meeting is focusing on regional security and the Niger Delta, one of the four pillars of the commission signed in April this year.
On the Nigerian side of the deliberation would be key players of those from the Niger Delta led by some of the sitting State governors.
The delicate issue of the Niger Delta was one of the driving factors behind the formation of the Commission by both countries in April.
Reports say the involvement of the Niger Delta governors from Cross Rivers, Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa-Ibom, and Delta states is a demonstration of the Commission’s resolve to get to the bottom of the violence and militancy in the oil producing area with a view to cutting off its political roots and securing their commitment to divulge and disconnect any and all links to militancy.
Addressing the press after a meeting with Henry Agomodia in early August, US Secretary of States, Hillary Clinton said that
“” this September, the Niger Delta and regional security working group will convene here in Washington to discuss ways to resolve the grievances of people living in the Niger Delta and strengthen our coordination on regional security issues, which the minister and I discussed, particularly in the Gulf of Guinea.”
According to her, “strong institutions and sound strategies for economic development, infrastructure, environmental protection, and the delivery of social services are necessary for progress in the Niger Delta.”
To preside at the meeting is the top deputy secretary on African affairs, Ambassador Johnnie Carson, the Assistant Secretary of State. Sources indicate that one of the major issues of discussion in next week’s meeting is the Amnesty programme, which the Federal Government has initiated for the Niger Delta militants, especially how to establish the programme and make it work effectively.
While the Nigerian side to the meeting will be sharing information on what has been done so far on the rehabilitation of the militants, the U.S. officials are expected to offer more practical solutions and strategies to prevent the kind of militancy and crisis that made the Niger Delta region such a lawless area for such a long time in the past.
