The International 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.
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According to the furucinovel, 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.
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The President declared: “We are living in a time when government policies are anti-Ijaw and undercut our combined efforts to promote national sustainable development.
“As Council President, I will push for resource governance that goes beyond oil and gas. Too long have people been undermining us.
“When we have the best seaport in West Africa and our rich water bodies are abandoned, it is appalling to see ship berths in Lagos. We frequently hear that our environment is not secure enough; under my watch as council president, this must stop as we call for the activation of our harbor.
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“I must be quite clear that we will no longer tolerate the IOCs’ careless practices, which have cost us a great deal as a people, and their constant gas flaring. Under my direction, we will work to keep council and the Ijaw nation stable.
In order to lessen the unmanageable suffering of the populace, the President urged the administration to investigate sectors in which the area has a competitive edge.
Theophilus said, “In my government, Niger Delta political players must step up their game in the performance 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 was earlier exhorted to remain steadfast and avoid pointless diversion in his resolve to lead the Council in the correct direction by the immediate President, Igbifa.
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