A lot has been said about the Niger Delta and the crisis that
has engulfed the region. Different people giving different
opinions and views on the crisis and possible solutions to
what seems to be a major problem for our nation Nigeria.
One peculiarity about this situation is that all the parties
involved want a solution to the problem….. or so it seems.

Years of neglect from various administrations have left the
region under developed and backward. After years of silence
the youths of the Niger Delta have found what looks like a
workable solution to their problem. What is this solution you
might ask? They have found a way to get the attention of the
Government to listen to them and also earn enough to take
care of their upkeep as well as sustain their struggle.

The oil rich Niger Delta accounts for a major portion of
Nigeria’s revenue. Crude oil which happens to be the  main
source of revenue for the nation is gotten from this region. It
is therefore supposed to be developed and well taken care of,
however the reverse is the case. Deibu is a community that is
located in this region which is completely cut off and far from
civilization while the beautiful city of Abuja is illuminated with
beautiful street lights and amazing structures.

I ask myself one fundamental question, how have our leaders
and elders helped the present situation? We have Governors
and elders who have so far not been true to us. If you care
about the people of the region, you would at least try to alleviate
the sufferings of the people. Money is mis-managed and mis-
appropriated. Various commissions have been set up, from the
Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission
(OMPADEC) to the present Niger Delta Development
Commission (NDDC) and everything in between. They were
all diverse ways of enriching family members, close friends and
associates of those in power.

These commissions, the Government and the oil company’s are
supposed to provide basic social amenities like water, light,
schools, good roads, hospitals amongst others for the region.
They have not done as well as they ought to hence the uprising
from the youths. They discovered a way to be heard, and believe
me they are getting a lot more than what they asked for, they are
getting paid as well.

They have kidnapped quite a number of local and foreign workers,
bombed oil installations and grounded oil exploration in some
areas. There is heavy military presence in the region thereby making
it insecure for foreign direct investment. Insecurity of lives and
property has seen people migrate from the region to safer areas.
Amidst the chaos, there is major oil theft going on behind the
scene. A lot of highly place individuals seem to be making money
while others are suffering. Little wonder the crisis seems to have
no end.

Keeping the entire picture in view, how does the activities of our
brothers in the region help to solve the problem. The Niger Delta
is not a location but it is actually a collection of people, who have
the same desires, hopes and aspiration of every other Nigerian.
Using arms to fight each other and destroying our land does not
help develop it.

The wealth of the nation is no more in the ground, it is in our head.
We do not have to keep pointing fingers and trading blame on
spilled milk, we need to take our destinies in our hands and
make the desired change. The change we seek starts from within.
Whoever you hold responsible for your growth and development
ultimately decides how far you can go. The sooner we discover
that we are unlimited and capable of making progress from many
more avenues than oil, the better for us.

Is Oil a blessing or a curse to the Niger Delta. Most people
are constantly on the look out to get to a place where everything
works, anywhere away from here. Well if we all leave, who will
do it for us. I believe a day is coming, not far from now when we
will look back at these ugly scenes and thank God for the change
that has taken place over time. Every village, town and state  in
the Niger Delta will have tarred roads with street lights, well
equipped hospitals and schools. Our homes will be beautiful,
our taps will run and we will be happy with the peace and
development in the region. When this will be is up to you and I