YAR’ADUA AMNESTY PROGRAMME: IMPLICATIONS FOR NATIONAL SECURITY (A CASE STUDY OF BAYELSA STATE)

YAR’ADUA AMNESTY PROGRAMME: IMPLICATIONS FOR NATIONAL SECURITY (A CASE STUDY OF BAYELSA STATE)

CHAPTER ONE

1.1   INTRODUCTION

Nigeria’s Niger Delta region accounts for over 90% of the country’s proven gas oil reserves. The region which is comprised of nine states, namely Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Abia, Edo, Imo, and Ondo has a proven gas reserve of 4.502 trillion (curm) in 2005  and proven oil reserves of 36bn (cum) in 2003. (Niger Delta conflict; Basic facts and analysis. www.ijawland.com).

The implication is that the region accounts for over 80% of the country’s foreign earnings, Nigeria’s economy being dependent on oil.

Until recently, oil exploration activities in the region want unhindered. The first signal of threat came in early January, 1966 when “Isaac Borro” led a revolt against the Nigerian military Government. This revolt was the first significant attempt at using violence to change the situation of the Niger Delta people.

Today, there has been a significant change in the revolt in terms of sophistication and the arms used. Over the last two decades the situation in the Niger Delta has witnessed increased turbulences to the extent that the area has become a security risk. Investors have been relocating their business from Port Harcourt the industrial hours of the South-South geopolitical region and Bayelsa State the increasing security threats to their investments. Kidnapping of the expatriate staff of multinational oil companies. Hijacking of sea bound oil vessels, destruction of oil installations and killing of security personnel are all forms of this protest.

The implication was the shutting down of oil production by companies whose facilities were affected, refusal of potential foreign investors in Nigeria, relocation of investments to other countries with less security threats.

The threats lead to the resolution by the president of Nigeria, Late Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua to resort to the declaration of an amnesty programme for the militants of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The focus of this work is to discuss the amnesty programme especially as it effects Bayelsa State.

1.2   STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

        People of the oil bearing communities in the past years have experienced polluted environment as a direct result or effect of the activities of oil companies in the region. The region in the past years have also been in abject poverty.

The level of unemployment in the region was very high, this basically was because of the total destruction of the main occupation of the region, which is fighting.

1. 3 SCOPE OF STUDY

        The research is limited to the examination of conflict in the Niger Delta region and late president of Nigeria, Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua  amnesty programme, especially as it affects Bayelsa State and its implications for National Security.

1.4   SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

        This work is significant because at the completion of this study, many researchers with similar topics may use this as a reference material for their work. Therefore, this work will also add to the existing literature on the conflict in the Niger Delta region and the late president of Nigeria, Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua amnesty programme and its implications for National Security.

This work expose the factors that led the region to the conflict. Also make us to understand how Bayelsa State responded to the amnesty deal. It will help inform the government the need for the sustenance of the amnesty programme.