The Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) on Tuesday expressed support for the ongoing restructuring of the oil industry with a condition that the federal character principle be reflected in its implementation.

Addressing a news conference at the Ijaw House, Yenagoa, IYC President, Mr. Udengs Eradiri, commended the efforts of the Federal Government at repositioning the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for greater effectiveness.

He observed that the restructuring was desirable to free up funds to drive development of the country.

He said that the IYC had observed that recent downsizing at the NNPC affected mostly the Niger Delta states.

Eradiri urged the management of the NNPC to review the process to ensure that the downsizing reflects the federal character principle to ensure that every state is equally carried along.

“We observed that the downsizing was skewed against the oil producing states of the Niger Delta region, because we believe in the principle of derivation to ensure that people from the oil producing areas participate in the management of the sector.

“The sack of many management staff of NNPC from the Niger Delta states does not reflect the federal character.

“We wish to ask the newly appointed group managing director to review the list, most of them with to ensure that those with good records and few years to retirement be recalled to complete their service,” he said.

The youth leader also urged the federal government should adopt a holistic approach to its anti-corruption stance.

“The IYC wholly supports the anti-corruption efforts but if it is limited to Jonathan, we shall resist it, there is a deliberate and calculated attempt to diminish the popularity of Jonathan despite his sacrifices for the nation.”

Eradiri regretted that the state governments and oil firms had abdicated their responsibility in the amnesty programme while the federal government was the only party meeting its obligations.

According to him, the oil firms were supposed to employ beneficiaries of federal government training programmes while state governments were expected to empower non-violent youths.

He appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to compel the Niger Delta state governors and the oil firms operating in the region to support the post amnesty plan.

•Photo shows Eradiri speaking during yesterday’s press conference in Yenagoa.

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