by Rachel Ogbu

Reports say pipeline vandals, operators of illegal refineries and oil thieves have insisted that only amnesty from the Federal Government would stop them from scooping oil from pipelines.

It was believed that after a private meeting on Monday in President Goodluck Jonathan’s state, Bayelsa, they addressed the issues affecting their illegal business in the Niger Delta region.

The President of Ijaw Peoples Development Initiative, Austine Ozobo who led the meeting reportedly told journalists that stakeholders agreed with the local refinery operators that only amnesty with accompanying financial compensations, empowerment, and employment would discourage oil theft in the region.

“The meeting, however, condemned military option in the fight against their business. The government should encourage them for generating employment for jobless persons. In the same vein, the operators insisted that they were better placed to receive amnesty than the North Islamic terrorist sect,” he said.

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The Punch reports:

Our correspondent gathered that the coalition of illegal oil dealers drawn from Edo, Delta, Rivers and other states in the region. They were said to have urged President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Assembly to see their call for amnesty as the only way to salvage the economy of the country.

They said they were ready to give up their trade in the interest of the public if the government would act swiftly to grant them their request.

Our correspondent gathered that the meeting was convened by Ozobo, who confirmed the development to our correspondent, also said the meeting was attended by the President, Committee for Rural Development Movement, Mr. Asiaye Enaibo; President, Niger Delta Peace initiative, Mr. Ogirenwarekame Newstyle; and President, National Council of Ijaw Activists, Alkali Eregbene.

He named others in attendance to include President, National Delta Ethnic Nationality Inititiative, Mr. Napoleon Peretoru, Bayelsa Good Brothers, community heads, chiefs, and ex-militants from Edo , Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta , and Ondo states.

He said the illegal traders demanded immediate release of their members arrested by security operatives in the region.