19th August, 2015
The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has commended the Federal Government over the efforts to restructure the NNPC and called for adherence to the federal character principle.
The President of IYC, Udengs Eradiri, told NAN in Yenagoa on Wednesday that the restructuring efforts were desirable in blocking the loopholes in revenue generation.
He, however, urged the management of NNPC to review the process to ensure that the downsizing initiative reflected the federal character principle.
“We believe in the principle of derivation and to ensure this, people from the oil producing areas should participate in the management of the sector.
“We wish to ask the newly appointed Group Managing Director to review the list so that those with good records and few years to retirement be recalled to complete their service,” Eradiri said.
The youth leader also urged the Federal Government to adopt a holistic approach in its anti-corruption crusade.
Eradiri also accused state governments in the Niger Delta region and oil firms of abdicating their responsibility in the amnesty programme, leaving only the Federal Government to bear the burden.
“The oil firms were supposed to employ beneficiaries of the amnesty training programme while state governments were expected to empower non-violent youths,” he said.
He appealed to President Muhammed Buhar to compel the governors in the Niger Delta and the oil firms operating in the region to support the post-amnesty plan.