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By Tony Obi
The Oil and Solid Mineral Producing Area Landlords’ Association of Nigeria (OMPALAN), an umbrella NGO that coordinates oil and solid mineral producing states in the areas of peace development, creation of wealth and protection of the environment, has developed a sustainable blueprint that brings entrenched institutions in impacted communities under one functional umbrella. This is aimed at protecting oil facilities and installations, monitoring of palliative programs and elimination of restiveness.
Its founder and chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT), Bishop Udo Azogu, said the blueprint, Mining Security and Monitoring Agency of Nigeria (MISMAN), seeks to address increasing incidents of terrorist/militant/cult-related attacks in mineral producing areas. It would also safeguard the lives of mining company personnel/locals as well as prevent the vandalisation of mining company installations and equipment:
He said, “MISMAN is a bottom-up proposal by stakeholders in oil, gas and solid mineral development in Nigeria aimed at supporting the efforts of the Federal Government to enthrone the rule of law and strengthen corporate governance in mineral producing areas. The blueprint shall be integrated into the grassroots components of community governance called Community Administration Council (CAC).”
He claimed the proposal was a clear departure from flawed policies of past administrations in placating dominant youth leaders “who are able to procure arms to threaten the peace of the area and hold government to ransom. OMPALAN has resolved to work with the Federal Government and other stakeholders in mineral producing areas to create a conducive investment climate to facilitate the much-needed infrastructural development and creation of gainful employment opportunities for the jobless youths who subscribe to untoward actions to make a living.”
However, Azogu said President Muhammadu Buhari should support the efforts of leaders of mineral producing areas by accommodating the opposition in these areas in view of the fact that the ruling APC party alone cannot deliver peace in the turbulent regions:
“Both the ruling party and the opposition parties must work cooperatively to enthrone the rule of law in mineral producing areas. The opposition must function creditably as a viable democratic institution and cooperate with the ruling party to move the country forward.”
He appealed to militants in the Niger Delta to sheathe the sword and support OMPALAN to bargain a brighter future in the region: “Aggrieved individuals who use jobless youths to stoke tension and cause disaffection in the region should repent and support the rule of law.”
The OMPALAN national leader said the novel blueprint was like a magic wand focusing on the flash points of violence in the embattled region to douse tension through inclusive participation of entrenched interests: “MISMAN addresses the issues of monitoring palliative programmes from source to target points to create access by all to democratic deliverables.”
