The Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Worldwide has said it will resist the three per cent allocated to host communities in the Petroleum Industry Act, saying it is an “aberration” to the Niger Delta people.
In a new year message signed by IYC spokesman, Amb. Binebai Yerin Princewill, and sent to the Federal Government, International Oil Companies, Niger Delta Governors and interventionist agencies among others, the council said it's not comfortable with the three per cent allotment.
According to the IYC, “The Ijaws and the entire Niger Delta people are not comfortable with the paltry 3% for host communities in the PIA, we will study the PIA again and assemble our team to resist this injustice that is meted out on our people.
“This to us is one of the most draconian laws in Nigeria since the advent of democracy. We cannot accept this without challenging it. We are calling for increment of the percentage.”
It also vowed that it would do all within its power to engage oil companies by demanding the employment nominal roll of IOCs and other national companies operating in the Niger Delta region as it continues to engage the Federal Government for gainful employment of its people.
“We want to know the percentage of our indigenes that are gainfully employed in these companies compared to the ratio from those outside the region.
“This is very important to us as Ijaw people. There should be no excuse why our people can't top the nominal roll of employment list of these companies,” it said.
The IYC also promised that it would continue to work closely with security agencies and other critical stakeholders in the region to foster and sustain peace and unity in Nigeria just as it tasked the military to always be professional in dealing with the Niger Delta Communities saying, “As we have witnessed too much bombardment of defenseless Niger Delta communities.”
