Ijaw Youths Urge FG to Replicate $100m IDPs Fund in N'Delta

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, yesterday called on the Federal Government to replicate its plan to compel operators in the oil and gas companies to send funds to Internally Displaced Persons in the North East and the Niger Delta region.

IYC, the umbrella body of all youths of Ijaw descent, said it was unthinkable that while the Niger Delta which directly feels the impact of the exploitation of oil in their region was left in the cold, the government was forcing oil companies to pump such huge funds to the north.

A national newspaper had reported on Thursday that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) had directed operators in the petroleum industry to contribute at least $100million annually to the IDPs Intervention Fund for the people of the North East.

But in a statement signed by the Spokesman of the IYC, Daniel Dasimaka, Ijaw youths argued that while they were not opposed to the development of any region, it was only fair that the government direct the oil companies to contribute more to the development of the region which is most negatively impacted by their activities.

“Although the north east is a victim of its own destruction, Ijaws have nothing against any plans to help Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and to develop the region.

“However, we find it quite traumatic that the government and its agencies that have never considered for over 60 years to instruct the oil companies devastating our land to develop the Niger Delta are today instructing oil companies to contribute to the North East which was destroyed by its own home-grown terrorism.