We're at a crossroads and we're ready to take our destiny in our own hands.

Local activist Bello Orubebe

They accuse him of failing to deliver on his promise, when he took office a year ago, to make improvements in the Niger Delta an urgent priority.

This is the second month in succession that political leaders from the Niger Delta have held such a meeting.

Although the Delta produces almost all of the oil which the Nigerian economy depends on, its people have long complained of neglect.

They had pinned much of their hopes on a new constitutional provision which stipulates that each state should retain more of the income that it generates.

The Delta's people have gained little from the region's oil revenue

In other words, the oil producing states ought to be able to keep more of their oil money, rather than be obliged to hand it over to the government.

But the president is accused of failing to comply in full with this provision.

Pressure

Political leaders in the Delta are now coming under pressure from more radical groups to toughen their stance.

"We have patiently for nine months, literally begging for dialogue, begging for attention, begging to be involved in the purported government attempt to work out a better deal for the Niger Delta," says Bello Orubebe, leader of the Niger Delta Volunteer Force.

"In all these we have been excluded. We're at a crossroads and we're ready to take our destiny in our own hands."

There is now the prospect of a renewed wave of sabotage attacks on oil industry installations.

The people of the Delta, who belong to many small ethnic groups, hope that if they can speak with one voice their message will be heard.