Former militant leaders from the Niger Delta region
on Monday blamed state governors from the region as well as oil companies for
being partly responsible for the youth restiveness occasioned by growing
unemployment in the region.
The ex-warlords, who now operate under the umbrella
of the Leadership, Peace and Cultural Development Initiative (LPCDI),
maintained that the frequent agitation and protests by angry youths from region
were due to 'the policy of exclusion' adopted by some state governors' in the
nine Niger Delta states.
"The youths are being sidelined by their state
governors. The governors need to look at the pains of the youths especially of the
oil-rich communities. Most oil companies are also refusing to employ the youths,"
the group, led by a former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger
Delta (MEND), Reuben Wilson, said.
In a communique issued after a meeting in Uyo, the
Akwa Ibom state capital, and signed by its National President, Wilson, the
former agitators noted that the bulk of the problems in the Niger Delta would
have been avoided if the governors played their parts.
The ex-militants, therefore, urged the government to
prevail on oil companies operating in the region to create more opportunities
for youths who have been trained and are qualified to work in the multinational
companies.
Wilson said the youths were angry with the federal
government appointees from the region, “because they are routinely excluded on
issues that will benefit the Niger Delta.”
According to him, "The grievance of most of
the angry youths is because they feel sidelined as the programmes initiated are
benefitting outsiders rather than the actual beneficiaries.
"But despite the identified anger, the youths
from the region have unanimously agreed that the entire leaders will throw
their weight behind the political appointees from the region."
The group also called for support for the Coordinator
of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Prof. Charles Dokubo, stating that
he needs time to effect some of his plans for the region.
''We also plead with all aggrieved persons to
channel their complaints properly instead of creating scenes that will bring
about disunity among us. Such criticisms have led to the untimely removal of
Niger Delta leaders from office in the past," LPCDI said.
They, however, advised Dokubo to have more
consultations with stakeholders, including Ateke Tom, Government Ekpemupolo, also
known as Tompolo; and Ebikabowei Victor-Ben
(Boyloaf) because of their deep knowledge of the Niger Delta region.
On the deplorable state of the East-West road, the
group called on President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene and fast-track the
completion of the project.
"We
also urge President Buhari to hasten the Ogoni clean-up and for contractors
handling the project to do so with increased commitment," they added, pleading
with Buhari to extend an olive branch to some youths still carrying arms in the
creeks of the Niger Delta.
Also speaking, Spokesperson of the LPCDI, Joshua
Opia, called on the governors to use the resources of the states wisely and
create jobs for the jobless youths.
The group further urged the Niger Delta Development
Commission (NDDC) to review all abandoned projects and make the development of
the Niger Delta region a priority.
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