The Ijaw Youths Council, or the IYC, has cautioned the Federal Government not to test the determination of Niger Delta people by disregarding and excluding them from infrastructure development projects.
The group’s spokesman, Mr. Ebilade Ekerefe, said in a statement yesterday that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has omitted important federal routes in Bayelsa State from its road construction project.
The group questioned why President Muhammadu Buhari and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, would accept the “shortchanging” of the region.
He said despite the peaceful and intellectual outcry by Ijaw youths, President Buhari’s government has continued to undervalue the Niger Delta, and the IYC may have to change its approach to the Federal Government.
The organisation also questioned Sylva’s participation in excluding federal highways in the area from the NNPC’s projected 21 roads totalling 1804.6km at a cost of N621.2 billion tax obligations.
“We are amazed by the boldness of the Muhammadu Buhari administration to allocate, out of 1804.6 kilometres of road to be constructed by NNPC, only 288.22 kilometres were allocated to the south, while 1,516.38 kilometres of roads were allocated to the North,” said the spokesman.
“If Niger Delta people decide to sever the wealth supply, no one should blame us. We will no longer consult or give ultimatum, but shock the Nigerian nation for the brazen injustice and marginalization meted on our people. We have been patient enough.”
