Monarch, Clark and others begs Buhari on16-point agenda

Some leaders in the Niger Delta region have presented a 16-point demands to President Muhammadu Buhari, over what they described as way forward in the oil-rich region.
The demands presented was headed by King Alfred Diette Spiff, accompanied by Edwin Clark and former governor, Victor Attah other stakeholders from the region.
Top on the list of  demands is the relocation of the administrative and operational headquarters of major International Oil Companies (IOCs) to the Niger Delta region. The leaders say the decision would fast-track the development of the region.
The region’s leaders, under the aegis of Pan Niger Delta Forum, also demanded the clean-up of other communities affected by spill, besides Ogoniland.
They also asked for a review of the amnesty programme’s core mandate of providing a robust exit strategy, to ensure that those trained have jobs to return to or are given stipends.

According to Clark, the document  presented will ''now set the ball rolling'' with the assistance of Minister to the president. He said the issue of the maritime university was sorted out during the meeting, as well as,   economic development and empowerment for the region.
He called for the implementation of the Brass LNG and fertiliser plant project, including the NLNG Train 7 in Bonny, and a review and update of the national gas master plan to integrate the economic interests and industrialisation of the region amongst others.
The leaders also demand an inclusive participation in oil industry and ownership of oil blocs.
They also want a fast track of key regional critical infrastructural projects in the region, including the East-West road, and the full implementation of the rail project that is designated to run through the Niger Delta region to Lagos.
The other issues are: The issue of increased military presence in the Niger Delta which has resulted in the invasion of communities, displacement of persons, harassment and other forms of human rights abuse.
They demanded the prompt take-off of Maritime University, and proposed that contracts for the security surveillance and protection of oil and gas infrastructure should be handled by communities rather than individuals.