Page 9 - Nigeria one mag 4 edition en

The governor said at the end of the meeting held primarily to foster peace and unity within Ijaw land, all
aggrieved parties agreed to sheathe their swords.
A communique titled: “We are stronger together” read by Prof. Okaba at the end of the meeting said a five-man
reconciliatory committee had been constituted to interface with various groups and individuals on the pipeline
surveillance issue.
It further noted that the Ijaw people were irrevocably committed to the peace, unity and stability of the ethic group
and other nationalities in the Niger Delta. It called on the Federal Government to fast-track the realization of the
proposal for the establishment of modular refineries to put an end to illegal refineries and pollution of the
environment. Senator Diri noted that the meeting examined the various issues that threatened the unity of the
Ijaw nation following the award of the pipeline surveillance contract to Tompolo’s firm. He explained that the
meeting was held to foster peace and unity within Ijaw land and that all parties agreed to sheathe their swords.
Tompolo, King Ateke Tom and Chief Dokubo Asari had representatives at the meeting. His words: “I am happy that
the issue has been put behind us. Beyond building consensus, all hands must be on deck to protect the oil
pipelines. “Today, we have seen the end of the matter. Before now, there was a deafening silence in the INC. But
today, that voice is resonating and I thank all Ijaw leaders that took it upon themselves to ensure that the Ijaws do
not fight themselves.
“Tompolo and Asari are brothers. We have all come to a consensus to protect all federal presence, especially oil
pipelines in the Niger Delta, as we sue for peace to attract development.”

Port Harcourt, one of the main towns in the Niger Delta

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