The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has reiterated its call for resource control, noting that the Niger Delta region has been neglected for far too long.
This came as the youngsters vowed that they will no longer tolerate continuous gas flaring and other unacceptable actions by International Oil Companies (IOCs) in the region.
According to an IYC statement, President of the Council Dr. Alaye Theophilus revealed this in Port Harcourt when he took over from Deacon Peter Igbifa.
According to Theophilus, gas flaring and venting has been a major environmental, economic, health, and social concern for the residents of the region for many years.
He stated that his job as Ijaw youths’ ninth president was to advocate, protect, and demand justice for the people.
Theophilus 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.”
