PROTEST: IYC Western Zone Demands Policy Changes, Environmental Remediation, and Inclusive Divestment in Niger Delta Region

With a forward-thinking approach, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Western Zone has sounded the alarm on the dire state of affairs in Nigeria, decrying the crippling economic hardship, poorly implemented policies, and environmental degradation that have pushed their community to the brink.

In a revolutionary development, the council has outlined a clear set of demands, calling on the government to:

– Address the severe economic hardship and implement policies that benefit the people
– Reduce petrol and gas prices to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians
– Fix and utilize local refineries to boost economic growth
– Implement the resolutions reached at the 2014 national confab
– Prioritize environmental remediation and development in the Niger Delta region

However, the IYC Western Zone has opted out of the proposed nationwide protest, citing concerns about the lack of consultation, potential risks, and the absence of a unified leadership structure.

Instead, the council is advocating for peaceful and progressive dialogue to bring about meaningful change and improvement in the lives of their community.

Their statement fully read:

“The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Western Zone, after a thorough and diligent consultation with the IYC National Executive Council and critical stakeholders, affirms as follows;

1. That, Nigeria is currently faced with diverse and severe economic hardship labels occasioned by the implementation of poorly thought-out policies like the hike in pump price of petrol and electricity tariff.

2. That, the demands of the organizers of the proposed nationwide protest, which includes implementation of the resolutions reached at the 2014 national confab, reduction of petrol and gas prices, fixing and putting local refineries into use, among other demands are timely and in order.

3. However, after thorough deliberation and consideration of the current socio-political, climate and the interests of our people, we present the following reasons for our standpoint:

a. That, the Ijaw Youth Council, Western Zone and its national body were not duly consulted by the proposed protest organizers in the design of their demands.

b. That, IYC, the most structured and reputable youth organisation in sub-Saharan Africa will not be coerced into partaking in a protest that is organized by faceless entities with no actionable plans.

c. That, the proposed protest in Nigeria which is tagged “10 Days of Rage” has so much unexplainable undertones and symptoms of a revolution, and bears so much risk.

d. The proposed protest lacks a unified and strategic leadership structure. This ambiguity can lead to mismanagement of the protests, reducing their effectiveness and increasing the risk of unintended consequences.

e. That, demands that bothers on the development of the Niger Delta like the East-West Road, environmental remediation of the Niger Delta are not captured in the proposed protest.

d. There is need for all IOCs to relocate their headquarters to the Niger Delta region to boost the economic fortune of the Niger Delta region, this was not captured in the demands for the nation wide protest.

e. That, the intentional exclusion of Shell Petroleum Development Company(SPDC) of the Niger Delta People from their onshore divestment initiative that is major concern for the Niger Delta people is not also captured in the demands of nation wide protest.

f. As a community, we treat with respect the counsel of the National Executive Council and prominent leaders of Ijaw nation, and their calls for us to shun the protest is based on a deep understanding of the potential risks involved.

g. While we recognize the importance of addressing bad governance at the national level, it is crucial that we also focus on local issues that directly impact the Ijaw nation. Our energies should be directed towards tackling challenges within our immediate environment.

4. On that note, the IYC Western Zone calls on the Federal Government and all appropriate quarters to discontinue the divestment of the onshore assets of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) until Ijaw sons and daughters are captured in the bidding and sales process.

5. The deliberate denial mete out on our people in the sale of assets domiciled in Ijaw will not be tolerated, and as promised, we will shutdown oil and gas exploration activities of the SPDC if our sons and daughters are not given room to be part of the divestment process.

8. Conclusively, the Ijaw Youth Council, Western Zone, strongly advises all Ijaw youths to abstain from the proposed #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest owing to the aforementioned standpoints of Council.

Our commitment to peace, stability, and constructive engagement remains unwavering. Let us continue to work together for the betterment of our community through peaceful and progressive Dialogue”. The demands concluded logically.

   Signed:

Nicholas Igarama,
Chairman IYC Western Zone.

Ebi Joshua Olowolayemo Esq,
Secretary IYC Western.

Tare Magbei,
Information Officer IYC Western Zone.