The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has declared that it will no longer support International Oil Companies’ (IOCs’) careless behavior in the Niger Delta region and constant gas flaring.
When Dr. Theophilus Alaye assumed leadership of the council from Deacon Peter Igbifa, the immediate past president, he announced this in Port Harcourt, the state capital of Rivers.
According to the Platinum Times Nigeria, the House of Representatives promised to reclaim the over $9 billion in gas flaring fines the federal government slapped on negligent domestic and international oil and gas corporations during an investigative hearing on Monday.
Gas flaring and venting, according to a statement released by Alaye on Tuesday, has long been a source of serious environmental, economic, health, and social concerns for residents of the area.
As the nation’s ninth president, he claimed that it was his duty to uphold, protect, and seek justice for the Ijaw people.
“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 ship berths 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 it clearly that we will no longer condone incessant gas flaring and lackadaisical practices of the IOCs that has cost us a lot as a people. We shall strive to maintain the stability in council and the Ijaw nation under my leadership.”
The President urged the government to explore areas where the region has competitive advantage to ameliorate the uncontrollable suffering of the people.
“In my government, political players in the Niger Delta region must up their game in the discharge of their political duties to project the concerns of the region as we shall be asking questions of stewardship and contributions to the development of the region,” Theophilus stated.
Earlier, the immediate President, Igbifa, urged Theophilus to be steadfast and avoid unnecessary distraction in his commitment to set the Council on the right path.