The President of the Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide (IYC), Dr. Alaye Theophilus, has said that the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri has shown gross incompetence and should be fired.

Speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s The Beam on Monday, Theophilus expressed disappointment at the minister’s performance, stating that the IYC cannot support him

“What we are saying is that if the minister is incompetent which he has shown to the general public, the IYC cannot say he should remain in office. He has shown gross incompetence.” He stated.

He also highlighted that the government needs to work on strategies to alleviate the poverty and hunger in the Niger Delta areas.

Alaye attributed the issues in the petroleum industry to the Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Ltd (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, and the Minister of Petroleum. He added that their approach has led to the increased hardship of Nigerians especially in the Niger Delta areas.

“Anything that is happening in the oil sector- Mele Kyari and the petroleum minister are the people giving Mr. President the immediate and necessary advice and report card.

“We are telling Mr. President that Mele Kyari has failed, his selective approach to things have really caused Nigeria more hardship particularly our people in Nigeria Delta,” he said.

He revealed that the IYC would be embarking on a planned protest after consultation with primary stake holders and will last for nothing less than 14 days.

“As a people that respect hierarchy we believe that before we would carry out another protest which I believe will be more than 14 days, but the minimum we are programming is 14 days where we are going to register our displeasure,” he said.

“We have decided to carry out a comprehensive and all- inclusive consultation with our stakeholders like our father Pa Dike Clark where we are going to rally around him and after our due consultation, we are going to declare our protest open.” (Channels TV)

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