The Movement for the Survival of Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta, (MOSIEND), has called on stakeholders of the region to ensure that the territories are peaceful, safe and conducive for businesses to thrive.

Mr Kenedy West, National President of MOSIEND, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview that those who perpetrated criminality in the guise of agitation have done more harm to the region.

He said in spite of neglect and insensitivity of government and oil companies that had kept the region and its citizens in a difficult corner, resorting to crime was not justified as it retards development by scaring away investments.

West noted that there is a need for a paradigm shift, as the criminalities over the years have brought nothing but pain, underdevelopment and misery upon the people.

He said people must now look inwards and eke out a living through legitimate economic activities, creating business-friendly and environmental favourable means – from the abundance of natural resources deposited in the Niger Delta.

He listed such sectors as agriculture, fishing and mining where the region has comparative advantage, rather than engaging in killing, sea piracy, oil theft, kidnapping, armed robbery, militancy and the recent trend of blackmail and pull down syndrome among Ijaw sons and daughters for selfish reasons.

He said that even though most of these ugly developments happening across Ijaw nation could be traced to poverty and the untold hardship which have had a negative toll on the people, the time has come to draw the line between the Ijaw struggle and criminality.

He explained that agitation for social change and crime are like light and darkness which never mix.

He said it was time for everyone to understand that the development they yearn for may never come if people continue to engage in activities that drive away investors or which cause instability, panic and uncertainties.

The MOSIEND President also said that those who have influence or political power either internationally, at the state or federal level – should use it to the advantage of the people of the Niger Delta; so that poverty, hardship, underdevelopment, cultism, kidnapping, armed robbery, pipeline vandalism and other vices can reduce drastically.

He noted that such effort will go a long way in increasing the chances of building a better and safer Ijaw nation which will be the envy of all.

West also emphasised the need for stakeholders and other players to collaborate with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the Presidential Amnesty Programme, (PAP} the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, (NCDMB), to better the lot of the people and attract development to the communities.

“A lot of people who are ‘crisis entrepreneurs’ have been fomenting trouble and making the region to be perceived in bad light by the outside world and sadly most of them come in the guise of agitating for the people whereas their objectives are for private gain.

“Looking back, the entire region is worse off because capital investments required to harness our natural endowments have eluded us and that is the thrust of MOSIEND to the people of Niger Delta,” West said.

He said there is more to achieve in working together with these federal government institutions, rather than going to war over personal, insignificant matters which have never yielded any positive result.

West called on the people of Bayelsa to respect the views of one another and know that blood is sacred and not worth shedding for any political reason, even as they go about campaigning for their preferred candidates for the November 11 Governorship election.

He reiterated the need to avoid a repeat of the killings that marred the 2015 and 2019 Bayelsa Governorship campaigns and elections, which many families are yet to recover from.

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