The Need for CONFAB Implementation: IYC Calls on Federal Government to implement CONFAB and other related developmental policies

The apex youth organisation, Ijaw Youth Council (Worldwide) has called on the ruling class to expedite actions in the implementation of CONFAB; noting that the immediate implementation will tacke some of the challenges facing the country and the citizenry. Emphasis was also made on Restructuring and the urgent need to tackle hardship in the country.

This clarion call on the Federal Government was made during a press statement signed and issued by the Spokesman of IYC, Amb. Binebai Yerin Princewill today and was made available to our Correspondent. See below the press statement.

PRESS STATEMENT 

1/10/2024

IYC CALL FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF 2014 CONFAB, RESTRUCTURING OF NIGERIA, WANT FG TO TACKLE HARDSHIP 

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has renewed call for the Implementation of the 2014 National Conference Report and reiterated call for the restructuring of Nigeria, adding that it is the only visible antidote in addressing the many woes bedeviling Nigeria as a country.

As Nigeria marks its 64th Independence as a sovereign nation from October 1st 1960, it is important for us as a people to reflect on where we are coming from as a country, where we are now and where we are going. The Implementation of the 2014 National Conference Report and the restructuring of Nigeria is indeed long overdue as it is the remedy of rescuing Nigeria from this baleful experience.

However, ethnic based agitations will continue to fester because as a country, we are yet to draft an all inclusive constitution for ourselves, what we have now is a constitution drafted by our colonial masters and handed over to big tribes that is further updated to the undoing of minorities in Nigeria. That is why the quest for resource control and agitation for a better living condition will continue to linger along ethnic lines.

The 2014 National Conference is the only visible attempt in recent times that truly included the input of every region and tribes in Nigeria on the way forward for Nigeria, Implementation of the National Conference Report will go a long way in saving Nigeria from this quagmire.

Nevertheless, the 2014 National Conference, tagged 2014 CONFAB set up by former President Goodluck Jonathan, made some very vital recommendations on how Nigeria can be restructured to achieve greater success as a nation. In continuation of the debate on restructuring. There is a need to refresh our minds with some of the 620 recommendations of the Confab on restructuring.

In a breezy manner, the conference touched virtually all aspects of the socio-economic and political challenges besetting the country such as resource control, fiscal federalism, devolution of power, creation of states, forms of government, revenue allocation, ethnic nationalities and minority question with a host of several issues.

While we are calling on the Federal Government of Nigeria for the Implementation of the 2014 Confab Report and restructuring of Nigeria, we are also calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to quickly address the lingering hardship faced by Nigerians, the Government must be seen taking steps that will be alleviating the enormous sufferings of Nigerians by reducing the cost of fuel price, Nigerians are beginning to think that the removal of fuel subsidy is doing more harm than good to the common Nigerians as the cost of living is astronomically high.

It is high time the Federal Government of Nigeria begin to take more drastic measures in fixing of the East West Road, particularly the part linking the Niger Delta region, from Rivers, Delta, Edo to Ondo, Akwa Ibom.

The IYC is also calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to start the Coastal Road Project from the Core Niger Delta States Like Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, Edo and Ondo states. There will be nothing Coastal about Coastal Road until it gets to these aforementioned states.

Finally, the various states with which the Ijaws are bulkernized into should begin to activate plans steadily by prioritising the development of the long neglected Ijaw areas in these states. The Ijaws can not continue to be economic backbones to the states they are bulkernized into without having a sense of belonging.

Signed:

Amb. Binebai Yerin Princewill 

Spokesman Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide