25 Sep 2009

Nigeria has warned Niger Delta rebels fighting for larger share of the oil-rich country's revenues that an amnesty deadline for their surrender would not be extended.

Defense Minister Godwin Abbe rejected on Friday the rebel's request to rethink the October 4 deadline.

"To all those still in doubt, the deadline for amnesty is Sunday, October 4, 2009 and government does not intend to extend it," local media quoted Abbe as saying on Thursday.

"I therefore appeal to those that are yet to lay down their arms to do so and join all other peace-loving Nigerians in their quest for accelerated development of the Niger delta," he added.

The remarks were made at the end of a rehabilitation program for 300 of the militants who have given up arms under the amnesty, declared in June by President Umaru Yar'Adua, which offers an unconditional pardon to repentant rebels.

Government Tompolo and Ateke Tom, commanders of the region's main rebel group, Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) waging a 'war' on the country's oil industry, asked for three more months last week to resolve some issues.

The amnesty, which officially began in August, is seeking to avert further unrest, which has blocked the country from pumping two-thirds of its oil capacity and caused production to decline, and resulted in a 60-day truce with MEND.

MEND has rejected the amnesty but extended the truce which ended on September 15 by a month, demanding the removal of military forces from the area and a “meaningful dialogue” with Abuja.

Insecurity has long plagued the Niger Delta, one of the world's largest wetlands where almost all of Nigeria's oil comes from. The locals are angry at their continued poverty in the world's eighth largest oil producer.

presstv