Posted by The Niger Delta people view the 3% allotted to host communities in the Petroleum Industry Act as a “aberration,” and the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Worldwide has declared its intention to oppose this.
The council expressed its dissatisfaction with the three percent allocation in a new year greeting written to various recipients, including the Federal Government, International Oil Companies, Niger Delta Governors, and interventionist agencies, and signed by IYC spokesman Amb. Binebai Yerin Princewill.
In response to the PIA’s pitiful 3% allocation to host communities, the Ijaws and the rest of the Niger Delta population will reevaluate the agreement and form a coalition to fight back, as stated by the IYC.
Among Nigeria’s laws passed after the country’s transition to democracy, this one stands out as particularly harsh. We need to question this before we can accept it. An increase in the percentage is what we are requesting.
Additionally, it promised to engage oil firms to the fullest extent possible, asking that IOCs and other national corporations operating in the Niger Delta region provide jobs for its citizens. This comes as it continues to engage with the Federal Government to secure gainful employment for its citizens.
What we need to know is the ratio of indigenous people working for these enterprises to the number of people from outside the area.
The Ijaw people place a high value on this. It stated that there should be no justification for our people not to be at the top of these corporations’ notional employment rolls.
“As we have witnessed too much bombardment of defenseless Niger Delta communities,” the IYC said, while simultaneously urging the military to maintain a professional demeanor whenever dealing with the Niger Delta communities and promising to maintain close cooperation with regional security agencies and other important stakeholders in the effort to promote and maintain unity and peace in Nigeria.