Niger Delta stakeholders issue ultimatum over resource control

determination through a referendum in line with international laws, be captured in the constitution.

Convener of the conference, who read the resolutions, Ms Ankio Briggs, said the Niger Delta people, as the breadwinners of Nigeria, demand to be heard and fairly treated with equity by the oppressive and insensitive Nigerian political class, as the only basis for peaceful co-existence.

Briggs said the Niger Delta people will take all lawful measures to develop an agenda for freedom and liberation and development of the region.

She stated: "We the people of the Niger Delta demand restructuring, with the states as the federating units and devolution of more powers to the states.

"We the ethnic nationalities of the south-south, affirm the right of peoples to self determination and to fully control their resource to stop and put an end to further deprivation and despoliation of their environment which they have suffered in the last 60 years.

"The Niger Delta demands total ownership rights to lands, natural resources, seas and waters by communities wherever such are located in the region.

"The Niger Delta people demand immediate environmental remediation and clean-up of Niger-Delta which has been deliberately devastated by crude oil exploration and exploitation.

"The people of Niger Delta demand the establishment of an Environmental Tribunal specifically aligned with oil industry standards on pollution and to carry out Environmental Audit and cleanup of the entire affected areas of the region.

"At the expiration of this three months window, we the people of the Niger Delta will commence the process that will guarantee our freedom and progress”