- Fubara Must Return: Why Ijaw youths are adamant about the Governor’s reinstatement.
- NDDC Under Fire: The demand to remove the NDDC from the Treasury Single Account (TSA).
- PAP Funding Fight: The push for increased funding for the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
- East-West Road Nightmare: How the unfinished road is choking the region’s economy and endangering lives.
Ijaw Youths Light the Fire: Fubara’s Reinstatement Now!
The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) isn’t mincing words. During the 57th Adaka Boro Day celebration in Port Harcourt, IYC President Dr. Theophilus Alaye thundered, demanding President Bola Tinubu to immediately reinstate Siminilayi Fubara as Governor of Rivers State. The reason? To ensure good governance and the continuity of projects that benefit the people. According to them, the people of Rivers State deserve nothing less than lawful governance.
Adaka Boro Day is a significant event commemorating Isaac Adaka Boro, a Niger Delta activist who fought for the rights of the region’s people. His legacy continues to inspire calls for justice and equitable resource distribution.
NDDC: Free the Funds!
The IYC isn’t stopping there. They’re also calling for the NDDC to be unshackled from the Treasury Single Account (TSA). They argue that this move will unleash a wave of impactful projects that will directly benefit oil-producing communities. The TSA, implemented to centralize government revenue, is seen by the IYC as a hindrance to the NDDC’s ability to deliver essential services and infrastructure.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was established in 2000 with the mandate to develop the oil-rich Niger Delta region. Its mission includes infrastructural development, environmental protection, and community empowerment.
PAP Needs More Fuel
The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) is also in the spotlight. The IYC is pushing for an increase in its annual budgetary allocation. They argue that the current funding level is simply not enough to meet the growing demands of reintegration, education, and empowerment of ex-agitators across the Niger Delta.
The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) was initiated in 2009 to disarm, rehabilitate, and reintegrate ex-militants in the Niger Delta region. It provides educational opportunities, vocational training, and empowerment programs to beneficiaries.
East-West Road: A Road to Nowhere?
The East-West Road remains a festering wound. The IYC points out that its incomplete state continues to endanger lives and cripple development in the Niger Delta and the entire South-South region. This critical infrastructure project has been plagued by delays and funding issues for years, becoming a symbol of government neglect.
Job Opportunities are Key
The IYC is also demanding more job opportunities for agitators in the Niger Delta, particularly those of Ijaw descent, as part of ongoing efforts to maintain peace in the region. Creating employment is seen as a critical step in preventing renewed unrest and ensuring stability.
What’s Next?
The demands of the Ijaw youths are a clear signal of the frustrations boiling beneath the surface in the Niger Delta. Will President Tinubu listen? The future of the region may depend on it. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, and the Ijaw youths are making a lot of noise.
About The Author
