Proposed Security Agency for Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Proposed Security Agency for Niger Delta

As the Government of the Nigerian People prepares herself for the post-amnesty period [of which she granted the Militants of the Niger Delta Amnesty], The Nigerian President Umaru Musa Yar'Aduaand the Governors of her 36 states has asked the National Assembly to approve the creation of a security agency whose job will be the protection of her ships, oil facilities and ports, as well as those [properties of other nations in the NIGER DELTA REGION OF THE COUNTRY. This MARITIME Security agency whose name would be known later on has a wieghty responsibility.
Already an extra budgetary provision by the National Assembly [Nigerian Legislative ARM] to fund the next phase of the amnesty programme which is rehabilitation and re-integration is already in motion.

It is expected that this agency would empower the Nigerian Coastguard officials to cover and carry on them a range of responsibilities. Some of these responsibility includes inspection of ships, arresting of suspects and most noteably carrying of firearms in the region[Niger Delta].
A report from a well know institute from the Nigerian Region stated that they [the security ops] are expected to carry and transfer "security information on oil and gas pipelines, rigs, platforms and all other established ... installations,"
Funding for the agency will be through a 1 per cent levy on annual profits from companies using Nigeria's waterways.
It is expected that the agency which is not a military organisation [ an example can be drawn from the Nigerian Anti-graft agencies like the EFCC, ICPC and other such agencies] would help restore trust in the Nigerian Government that has been lost in the region as well as allow the military to begin withdrawal.
In the mean time, the Governors of Her 36 State have applauded the amnesty initiative that led to the laying off of ARMS by Region's militants most of whom included the popular: Government Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo, Ateke Tom, Farah Dagogo and General Boyloaf but stressed the importance of the next phase [ the Rehabilitation and Reintergration stage].
This was made known in a communique issued Monday [06/OCT/2009] night in Abuja, under the uspisis of the Governors' Forum.
The following quote is credit to a well known News Agency from Nigeria on what the Governors Forum said “The Forum agreed that it would give support to efforts by the National Assembly to pass extra budgetary provision to help ex-militants in their efforts to be rehabilitated and re-integrated,” the communique read.
According to the governors, the resolve to commend as well as back the Federal Government follows the prolific presentation made by the Minister of Defence, Gen. Godwin Abbe.
Comments made by South-south governors also convinced the Forum of the necessity to throw its weight behind the government to ensure the success of the remaining part of the programme.
“While noting this historic movement towards peace and reconciliation by the Federal Government which has resulted in the disarmament and demobilization, members called for support for the next phase of this process: rehabilitation and the reintegration. As a mark of solidarity to the Niger Delta, members unanimously resolved to host its next meeting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State," the Forum said.
The group said Laws that would impose severe sanctions against kidnappers which are necessary to serve as a deterrent would be imposed or passed. It said the amount of kidnapping witnessed across the country deserves the same level of seriousness accorded the amnesty initiative.

Do you think this is a nacessary step right now ?
your reactions are welcomed

writing by BLORIEN
for PLATFORMNIGERIA