CONFLICT MANAGEMENT IN THE NIGER DELTA (A CASE STUDY OF THE AMNESTY PROGRAMME)
ABSTRACT
The major concern of this research work is to assess the role of the State and conflict resolution in the Niger Delta, with a focus on the Amnes programme of the Nigerian Government. Utilizing the conflict Resolution theory, the study contends that the Presidential Amnesty to the Niger Delta militants is basically oriented towards enhancing the security situation in the Niger Delta region and by so doing increase the daily production of crude oil. The study adopts observation technique and secondary sources of data in order to establish and highlight the true picture. Our findings revealed that, successive governments have been insensitive to the plight of the people of the region. To this end, the study contends that for the benefit inherent in the Amnesty program to be sustained, the Government should sincerely address the root causes of the crises in the area which essentially border on the age-long injustices perpetrated against the region by the multinational oil companies.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The Niger Delta area is the most fragile region in Nigeria. The presence of oil and gas in the region makes it the goose that lays the golden egg, thus making the region the center of economic and political activities in the country.
The Niger Delta was a foremost part of the area later to be called Nigeria and incorporated into the Atlantic world economy from the 16th century. Thus, the region developed a monetized economy and become ahead of contemporary developments in others part of the future Nigeria, leading to a substantial degree of prosperity and the development of a proud culture in the region. This rare feat constitutes the basis for the formation of own identity.
However, the struggle for self determination and proper distribution of resources among groups within the region and Nigerians ethnic group started with the formation and consolidation of the Nigeria colonial state from the 1940’s. This struggle became inevitable because Niger Delta is a dispersal of small ethnic groups which were force together with predatory and dominant majority ethnic groups.
This minority question was never addressed before Nigeria got her independence in 1960 despite The Henry Commission of 1956 that attempted to solve the issue of minority. The point here is to present a fact that the Niger Delta crisis is rooted in the foundation and structure of the Nigeria state. Over the years the question has contributed greatly to the emergence of violence in Niger Delta region over oil and mineral resources. The insurgency in Niger Delta whether oil or crude oil benefit bother on the foundation and structure of Nigeria state.
AIMS/OBJECTIVES
The aims and objectives of this study include:
To examine as baseline study that Niger Delta people and the extent to which it relates with others.
To examine the Genesis of the crisis of agitation in the region and how it affects the Nigeria state.
To examine the military option which hitherto escalate the Niger Delta crisis to insurgence in the country.
To examine the nature of the conflict as it portents to undermine the economy of Nigeria.
To identify and evaluate the amnesty programmes as relevant approach in addressing the Niger Delta struggle.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The Niger Delta question is an important discourse in Nigeria today. This is so because of the discovery of oil in the region, thus making the region the life wire of the country economy. Over the years resource has turn to serious issue as a result of the neglect of the region. The distribution and the development oil has led to violence and armed conflict between the people and the federal government.
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