BEVERLY HILLS, April 04, (THEWILL) – The Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Worldwide has warned against plans by the Federal Government to remove the 10 per cent oil-producing communities’ development fund from the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB, describing the move as a grand conspiracy against the people of the oil producing areas of the Niger Delta region and an invitation to anarchy.
This was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the IYC spokesman, Eric Omare, which noted that the action clearly showed the insensitivity of the administration of Muhammadu Buhari to the sufferings of the oil-producing communities and a design by northern elements to continue their grip of the oil resources found in the Niger Delta region.
According to the umbrella body of Ijaw youths, “This decision is obviously an invitation to renewed hostilities and agitations in the Niger Delta region.
“The IYC enjoins Nigerians and men of conscience to reject this decision. We wish to also alert the world of the negative and oppressive decisions of the Buhari-led administrations towards the Niger Delta region and their implications for peace and security in the region.
“The oil communities’ development fund is a laudable initiative aimed at making oil-producing communities’ stakeholders in the oil resources that are produced in their communities and address sabotage and associated challenges.
“We call on members of the National Assembly, especially those from the Niger Delta region, to reject this oppressive, anti-Niger Delta and retrogressive decision,” the statement noted.
