By Samuel Oyadongha
YENAGOA — YOUTHS from Niger Delta have urged Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, to implement the palliatives pledged by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo during his tour to the region.

The youths made the call yesterday, when the leadership of Niger Delta Ex-Agitation Forum and Niger Delta Non Violent Youth Leaders Assembly visited Mr Kennedy Tonjo-West, an aide to Bayelsa State Governor on Niger Delta Youth Matters. Prince Amaibi Hot, who spoke for the ex-agitators under the amnesty scheme, noted that the region was eagerly awaiting the implementation of promises made during the fact-finding visit by the acting president.

Hot observed that most of the palliatives aimed at stabilising the Niger Delta region and consolidating the peace process lied within the purview of the NNPC. According to him, after several months of conclusion of the tour, the Group Managing Director of NNPC is yet to take steps to move forward. He said: “It is shocking to know that since Maikante Baru assumed office as NNPC Group Managing Director, he has not initiated or implemented any project or programme that will deepen the existing peace painstakingly put in place by the president.” “The current peace is due to extensive consultative engagement by the acting President’s dialogue with stakeholders during his tour of the region. Instead of commencing some of the projects and issues narrated by youths and people of the region in this period of peace to upgrade his score card, the GMD feels very unconcerned about the plight of the region. “It is unfair to be taking resources from the Niger Delta and neglect the region,” Hot said. Speaking on behalf of Niger Delta Non Violent Youth Leaders Assembly, Mr. Tonye Jeminimiema noted that Dr Ibe Kachikwu had traversed the region promising that the President Buhari administration was committed to developing the Niger Delta. Jeminimiema urged the acting President to prevail on NNPC to step up its activities to redeem Federal Government’s pledge to the region during his tour which includes the establishment of modular refineries. Responding, Tonjo-West appeal to the youths in the region to exercise patience, adding that plans were ongoing to open a window for discussion. Tonjo-West commended the Bayelsa State governor for the establishment of the state vigilante group and the Bayelsa State volunteer to strengthen security in the state.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/07/n-delta-youths-task-nnpc-palliatives-promised-fg/

Nawa ooo