THE Federal Government is waiting for reports from the National Security Adviser, NSA, Major General Mohammed Monguno (retd.); service chiefs and other top government officials mandated to interface with militant groups and other stakeholders in Niger Delta, before commencing the much awaited dialogue. This came on a day Niger Delta Greenland Justice Movement, NDGJM, an Urhobo militant group, blew up the Ogor-Oteri major delivery line operated by Nigeria Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, and Shorelines Petroleum and served a notice to also bomb Warri and Port Harcourt refineries as well as Utorogu Gas Plant.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, confirmed to Vanguard on phone, yesterday: “The President has charged some people with engaging the various militant groups, and now that they are waiving the white flag, there will definitely be formal talks.
“But before that, the NSA, service chiefs and all those involved need to bring their reports, they will be assessed before dialogue will kick-off,” he said.
Investigation by Vanguard showed that the Presidency was aware of the success of the consultative meeting of the Niger Delta monarchs, elders and stakeholders in Effurun, near Warri, Delta State on August 19, following which the Niger Delta Avengers, NDA, declared an unannounced ceasefire.
The government was also conscious that the NDA had given the pan-Niger Delta group, led by Chief Edwin Clark, the authority to represent it in talks with government.
