Seat with command structure of N/Delta militants to get results, Expert tells FG
Leading economist and financial consultant, Mr. Johnson Chukwu has advised the federal government to stop avoiding the rainy day and open up meaningful dialogue with the command and control structure of the Niger Delta militants, saying discussing with their elders will not solve the militancy.
In an exclusive interview where he gave three antidotes to exiting recession and inflation, he said “To improve crude oil production in the country such that we can improve foreign exchange earnings, improve dollar liquidity, and all these concerning oil production can only come from addressing militancy in the region.
But to achieve the third goal, he said the federal Government must stop discussing issues of stopping militancy on the Niger Delta with elders of the region and try to identify the command structure of the rampaging youths. He said this is the best but hard roadmap to end vandalism of oil facilities in the region.
Chukwu noted further that “To me, the government has not recognized the fact that the so called elders they see and engage in Niger Delta crisis do not have overbearing influence on the militant youths”.
“The militants are subject to the authority of their leaders and not authority of their elders.
“Just unlike what we have in the northern and western parts of the country where authority rests with elders and emirs in all youths’ activities, it is not like that in the Niger Delta and South East. That is why the Biafra issue and oil vandalism are still intractable.
He said the militants, having radicalized, are not likely to be subject to their elders who may even go there and front for their selfish ends in the name of negotiating on their behalf.
In both South east and Niger Delta, elders influence is almost at its lowest ebb.
Continuing, he said “The best solution is to find ways to identify who these militants listen to and discuss with them. This is so because it is only those they listen to that have the authority to discipline them. It’s a command and control structure”.
Explaining more on other two ideas for early exit from recession and inflation, the chief executive officer of Cowry Asset Management said the “Federal Government must inject capital in real estate sector and other deep pocket sectors or at least clear debts owed contractors”.
“Finally, inject foreign currency liquidity into the economy such that manufacturers and other critical sectors that needs forex for import to continue with their business engagements can go on.
