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Ijaw Youths Support Oil Sector Reforms, Anti Corruption War

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The Ijaw Youths Council, IYC, has called on the federal government to ensure that the principle of federal character is reflected in the restructuring of the oil sector, saying it supported the efforts of the Muhammadu Buhari led administration in this regard.

The group also expressed support for the stepping up of the anti – corruption crusade but warned that it should not be targeted at individuals, particularly former President Goodluck Jonathan.

It vowed to resist any attempt to use the anti-corruption campaign to rubbish Jonathan’s name.

The IYC’s position was made known by its president, Udengs Eradiri, at a press briefing held at the Ijaw House, Yenagoa, capital of Bayelsa State.

The group commended the federal government for the steps it had taken so far to reposition the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, for better productivity and efficiency.

Eradiri said that while the Ijaws supported the restructuring exercise as it would cut areas of waste and make more resources available for development, they were worried because the attendant downsizing in the oil corporation had mostly affected people from the Niger Delta.

“We observed that the downsizing was skewed against the oil producing states of the Niger Delta region, because we believe in the principle of derivation to ensure that people from the oil producing areas participate in the management of the sector,” the Ijaw youth leader stated.

He said further: “We wish to ask the newly appointed Group Managing Director to review the list, most of them with to ensure that those with good records and few years to retirement be recalled to complete their service.”



Eradiri also expressed the group’s support of the anti-corruption but advised that it should not target particular persons

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“The IYC wholly supports the anti-corruption efforts”, he stated, but warned that “if it is limited to Jonathan, we shall resist it”.




     

     

    He alleged that there is a “deliberate and calculated attempt to diminish the popularity of Jonathan despite his sacrifices for the nation”.

    The IYC president also lamented that only the federal government was meeting its commitment to the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme, adding that the state governments and oil companies operating in the region had abdicated their responsibility.

    Eradiri said that under the amnesty plan, the oil companies are supposed to employ beneficiaries of federal government training programmes while state governments were expected to empower non-violent youths.

    He therefore President Buhar to ensure that states governments and oil firms operating in the region fulfill their commitments under the programme

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