Minister: Nigeria to develop troubled Niger Delta
Date 2009/10/6 10:37:07 | Topic: Afran
| LAGOS, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerian government has assured the people of the troubled Niger Delta area of its determination to develop the region, the News Agency of Nigeria said on Monday.
Nigeria's Minister of Defense Godwin Abbe gave the assurance in southeast Nigeria's Delta State on Sunday, while receiving arms and ammunition surrendered by the ex-militant leader of Camp 5, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo.
Tompolo arrived in Warri in a presidential jet at about 11:30 a.m. local time, and traveled to Oporoza to submit his arms after embracing the government's amnesty on Saturday.
The arms and ammunition submitted by Tompolo included 6 GMG, 14 AK47, 71 FN, 24 G3, 6 RPG, 5 GMPG and 6 RPGB guns.
Others are large boxes of arms and ammunition containing cartridges, dynamite, tear gas, thunder flares.
The minister commended Tompolo for beating the amnesty deadline which terminated by the midnight of Sunday.
"I do know that this was done with a lot of courage, enthusiasm, patriotism and selflessness for peace to reign,'' he said.
He warned that any militant who failed to submit his weapons before the expiration of the deadline would not have the chance to do so again since the government would not extend the Presidential Amnesty Program.
Abbe said that after the amnesty, militancy would no longer be tolerated in the region, adding that efforts would be made to integrate the people who were displaced by the disturbances and the ex-militants.
The minister expressed happiness about the large turnout of people who witnessed the event at Oporoza and the large cache of arms and ammunition that was surrendered.
Abbe pledged the government's readiness to develop the Niger Delta area, urging the people to promote the fulfillment of the peace process.
He said all the former militant leaders would soon discuss with the presidential committee on amnesty on how to chart the way forward.
Abbe gave the assurance that the integration of the ex-militants into the society would also involve ascertaining what they wanted to engage in for their sustainable living.
He implored the people of the region to promote and sustain the peace process.
Earlier, Tompolo urged militant groups to abandon sea piracy, fuel pipelines' vandalism and all forms of violence.
"No doubt, I have done my bit and I plead with all of you to continue with the struggle in a peaceful way," he said.
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