Coalition of militant groups in the nine states of the Niger Delta region under the aegis of Reformed Niger Delta Avengers (RNDA) have declared their total support for the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, over his comment on the alleged diversion of the 13 percent oil derivation funds by governors of the oil producing states and the request for the establishment of 13 percent Derivation Trust Funds for the oil producing communities in the creek.

RNDA also declared support for the reported moves by President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly to checkmate the governors of the Niger Delta on the 13 percent derivation fund with the establishment of a Coastal Rural 13 percent Derivation Development Agency to ensure direct funding of development and empowerment of youths with massive projects to the oil producing communities in the region.

According to RNDA, “Though the informed position on the misappropriation of the 13 percent derivation by the state governors is included in the 11-point demands of the militant groups to the Federal Government, the position of the Deputy Senate President is further affirmation that the government should review the key issues raised so far, the release of the gas flare penalty funds, the utilization of the 13 percent derivation funds, direct involvement of Oil Producing Communities in the sharing of the funds and the involvement of the Host Communities (HOSTCOM) and the issue of pipeline surveillance security contract jobs and other key issues raised so far.”

RNDA, in a communique issued yesterday and signed by its General Commanding Officer, Major Gen. Johnmark Ezonebi, stated that despite the ongoing discussions entered into between the group, stakeholders and traditional rulers from the region and the Federal Government over the declaration of the 21days ultimatum issued in October, “it was agreed the agitating militant groups and the youths of the region should sheath their swords, swallow their anger and allow the issues presented to President Buhari to be resolved to ameliorate the emancipated neglected suffering people of the region.”

The group revealed that the ongoing discussion with the Federal Government has led to a meeting between Ovie Omo-Agege, the Minister of Niger Delta, Godswill Akpabio, the Senior Special Adviser to President on Niger Delta, Sen. Ita Eyang, and the Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Col Dikkio Milland (rtd), with some serving Senators and House of Reps members from the region and some personalities from the presidency.

The meeting was “to engage the delegation of leaders headed by High Chief Wallington Okrika, the traditional Prime Minister of Gbaramatu kingdom in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, with Traditional rulers led by HRM King Diete Spiff, the Amayanabor of Twon Brass with the leadership of HOSTCOM which is led by Dr. Prince Mike Emuh and the representative of the dreaded RNDA Militant group.

“At the meeting, the Deputy Senate President, on behalf of the Federal Government, reassured the delegation of dialogue headed by High Chief Okrika and HRM Diete Spiff that all the key critical issues raised by them will not be thrown into the dustbin and that the release of the gas flair penalty funds will be addressed and also the 13 percent derivation funds that is hanging and ends in the hands of the Niger Delta State Governors instead of the funds to go directly to the oil producing communities that are suffering from the oil exploitation and exploration activities in the creeks.

“The funds, which was originally approved by the Federal Government to address the sufferings of the oil producing communities that is now being diverted by this Governors and allow the oil producing communities to be dejected to wallow in abject poverty in the region will be looked into critically and the Federal Government will set up 13 percent derivation trust fund or Coastal Ruyal 13 per cent Derivation Development Agency will be established with a legislative backing in other to address this man-made perpetual injustice created by the governors of the Niger Delta.

“Also, the pipeline surveillance security contract job that is awarded to one individual alone will be also looked into and will be addressed and that the oil producing communities who are the host to the pipelines and host to the oil facilities will be engaged directly to protect and safeguard the pipelines in their doorsteps as well as other key issues raised so far by the dialogue team.

“The Deputy Senate President assured the dialogue team headed by High Chief Okrika and the traditional rulers led by HRM King Diete Spiff and the HOSTCOM National Chairman with Hon Prince Jude Tabai the son of Justice Tabai from the Supreme Court who is the representative of RNDA militant group that President Buhari and the APC-led Federal Government will not disappoint the people of the Niger Delta region in terms of addressing the under development challenges confronting the people of the region and urged the Deputy Senate President, who is the political leader of the region, not to fold his hands and watch the youths and the RNDA militant group to resume any form of hostilities in the creek.

“To this end, the RNDA, with the coalition of the nine militant groups in the creek, want to salute the boldness and courage of the Deputy Senate President for his productiveness, charismatic, patriotic resilience fearless leadership qualities which he has exhibited so far in handling issues of national interest for the peace unity and development of the Niger Delta region and the nation at large.

“The leadership of the RNDA is proud of his sound undeviating transparent leadership qualities in driving good governance to the nation and the region and the RNDA Militant group make bold to state that the leadership style of Sen. Ovie Omo agege is highly commendable and is incomparable and non to be recon with in the Niger Delta.”

RNDA also appreciated the Minister of Niger Delta Sen. Akpabio and the Senior Special Adviser to President on Niger Delta with the Presidential Amnesty Programme Coordinator, Col Milland (rtd) for their various key roles they have played so far in putting much commitment and tireless efforts to address the issues raised and making themselves available to engage the stakeholders and the traditional rulers with the leadership of the HOSTCOM and representative of the RNDA militant groups for the interest of peace and stability in the once trouble region. And the RNDA want to urged them to always put heads together with the Deputy Senate President, who is the political leader of the Niger Delta region, to address critical key issues confronting the people of the region.

RNDA called on them to try as much as possible to use their exalted offices to engage the stakeholders with youths of the Niger Delta region and roll out youth empowerment programmes and skill acquisition schemes to easy the sufferings of the youths in the creek of the region and they should always carry the youths of the Niger Delta along.