NDA's Lethal Attack On West Africa's Economic Growth!

The activities of militants in Nigeria's Niger Delta region, south of Nigeria, is not only crippling economic activities in the country but is beginning to negatively impact neighboring countries in West African, which hitherto enjoyed 80% electricity supply security. 

This was further brought to light when Ghanaian President, John Mahama, during his  Eid-el-fitr goodwill speech stated that Ghana recently suffered some generational problems, a setback he attributed to sabotage in Nigeria, as crude oil which the country ordered a month ago, in June, 2016, is yet to arrive Ghana. A recent 'controlled explosive devices' attack on about three Chevron Nigeria Limited manifolds at Diogbolo, close to Dibi, Warri Local Government Area of Delta State, South-South Nigeria, by the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) militant group was reportedly responsible for this. President Mahama however assured Ghananians that his government is taking steps on a daily basis "to ensure that Ghana has security when it comes to power supply.” 

Over the past few months, Nigeria's economy suffers extensive down-turn as a result of militant activities which has a direct and indirect link to the Naira plummet.  Though these attacks is purportedly aimed at "avenging the ills meted at the Niger Delta region and people", over a long period of negligence of the area that is responsible for Nigeria' wealth, the real casualties of the "avenger's wrath" are without doubt the poor masses who suffer untold hardship due to the adverse effects on SME developments, like: insecurity, poor electricity supply and the Naira plummet against the U.S dollar and British Pound Sterling. 

Despite the catastrophic nature of the NDA's attacks not only on Nigeria's economy, but those of nearby countries that rely on Nigeria for crude oil supplies, the militant group appear not relenting in their attacks. Militants believed to be of NDAs group in the early hours of Friday, July 8th, 2016, again, struck, destroying pipelines belonging to the Nigerian Agip Oil Company(NAOC), the Tebidaba-Brass Agip pipeline at Goulubukori manifold, Nembearea and Lagosgbene pipeline all in Southern Ijaw, near  Ekeremor area of Bayelsa State, southern Nigeria. 

The Niger Delta Avengers, reportedly poised to take the Niger Delta struggle to "never seen before" new heights, with claims to well-equipped human resources to meet their goal, on 12 May 2016, issued President Muhammadu Buharian 11-point condition with an October 2016, deadline, when the group vowed to display its currency, flag, passport, ruling council and territory to the world.

With Boko-haram forces in the north, reported Fulani herdsmen attacks in virtually all the regions across the country, and most recently, NDA's threat and attacks on oil pipelines in the south, the feasibility of fostering economic growth in Nigeria and the West African sub-region at the moment appears bleak. Small and medium scale businesses are left with no option than to shut down or profoundly slow down productions as a result of the aforementioned 'adverse effects' factors. 

Peharps its time the Nigerian government embarks on sincere and effective measures with all stake holders, to redress this ugly situation. 

THE REAL CASUALTIES ARE THE MASSES WHOM THE GOVERNMENT AND THE NDA CLAIM TO FIGHT FOR.