TECH C'TTEE ON N-DELTA FAULTS IMPLEMENTATION OF REPORT

By Chris Ochayi
ABUJA - The Independent Working Group on the Technical Committee on Niger Delta,TCND, has warned that selective and ad-hoc implementation of the committee's recommendations will undermine the peace, development, security and stability of the Niger Delta.

The working group, which came up with this position weekend, in Abuja, at the end of its one-day consultation on the review of the Niger Delta Technical Committee Report, held at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, canvassed for inclusion of the independent working group as mechanism for monitoring and advocating of accelerated development in the region.

According to the communiqué, the meeting 'reiterates the determination of the Independent Working Group on the Implementation of the Recommendations of the Niger Delta Technical Committee to act as a mechanism for monitoring and advocating the accelerated development and effective resolution of the crisis of the Niger Delta within the context of multiple stakeholders' participation envisaged by the report.

'The meeting also underscores the need to see the region as a whole in a conflict context and, therefore, address all root causes of the recurrent conflicts, including those relating to marginalisation and lack of development in the region.

Noting that the amnesty programme had reduced hostilities in the region, the communiqué added that 'the amnesty programme has to be seen in the context of the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration, DDR, which goes beyond the training and engagement of ex-militants.'