Ijaw Youths Push for Implementation of 2014 Confab Report and Relocation of IOCs Headquarters to the Niger Delta
The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) worldwide has recently communicated a message to the federal government and Niger Delta governors, urging them to give top priority to the implementation of the 2014 constitutional conference report, which promotes fiscal federalism. Additionally, the IYC has called for the relocation of International Oil Companies (IOCs) headquarters back to the Niger Delta region.
In an official statement signed by IYC spokesman, Binebai Princewill, the council underscored the urgent need for sustainable peace in the region and the nation as a whole, emphasizing that peace is crucial for the development of the region. The IYC is steadfast in its commitment to advocating for peace, while expressing hope that the federal government and its allies will act justly in addressing the needs of the Ijaw people and other minorities in Nigeria.
One of the central points raised by the IYC is the lack of progress in achieving fiscal federalism, even 25 years after the creation of the IYC through the Kaiama Declaration on December 11, 1998. The council highlighted the exploitation of the Ijaw and Niger Delta people and emphasized the critical need for justice and fairness in addressing these issues.
The statement further underscored the disparities in the sharing of resources, such as the unequal treatment of oil and gas wealth versus other natural resources like gold. The Ijaw Youth Council called for corrective measures to address these inequalities, emphasizing the importance of sustainable justice in achieving lasting peace and development in the country.
In addition to the call for fiscal justice, the IYC urged the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Niger Delta Ministry, and related agencies to embark on tangible development projects within communities in the region. They stressed the urgent need for infrastructure development, particularly the rehabilitation of the East-West Road, which plays a critical role in connecting key areas in the Niger Delta.
Addressing the issue of IOCs, the IYC urged oil companies operating in the Niger Delta region to take steps towards relocating their headquarters back to the region. The council expressed discontent with the allocation of three per cent to host communities in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), deeming it unjust and vowing to challenge this allocation in pursuit of a fairer distribution of resources.
Moreover, the IYC pledged to collaborate closely with security agencies and other key stakeholders in the region to promote and maintain peace and unity, while calling on the military to exercise professionalism in their interactions with Niger Delta communities.
Overall, the Ijaw Youth Council’s message serves as a call to action for the federal government, Niger Delta governors, and relevant agencies to address critical issues of fiscal federalism, resource allocation, and infrastructure development in the Niger Delta. As the council advocates for justice and fairness, their efforts aim to pave the way for sustainable peace and prosperity in the region.
