– Renews calls for resource control
Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Ijaw Youth Council IYC says it will no longer condone incessant gas flaring and objectionable practices of international oil companies operating in the Niger Delta region.
The apex Ijaw youths’ body has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to revamp seaports in the Niger Delta, lamenting that for too long, the Niger Delta region has been neglected.
Newly elected IYC President, Dr. Alaye Theophilus, speaking in Port Harcourt when he took over from his predecessor, Deacon Peter Igbifa, said gas flaring has been a significant environmental, economic, health and social concern for the people of the region for many years.
Theophilus vowed that his mandate as the 9th president of Ijaw youths was to promote, defend and demand justice for the people.
The youth leader further urged government at all levels to explore areas where the region has comparative advantage in order to ameliorate the sufferings of the people.
He said, “We are in an era where policies of the government are anti-Ijaw and undermines our collective contribution to national sustainable development.
“As president of the council, I will agitate for resource control beyond oil and gas. We have been undermined for too long.
“It is abysmal when our rich water bodies are abandoned, and we see ships berth in Lagos, when we have the best seaport in West Africa. What we keep hearing is that our environment is not safe enough. This must stop under my watch as president of council as we demand activation of our seaport.
“I must state clearly that we will no longer condone incessant gas flaring and lackadaisical practices of the IOCs that have cost us a lot as a people. We shall strive to maintain stability in council and the Ijaw nation under my leadership.”
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