The Ijaw Youth Council worldwide has expressed support for the Federal Government’s directive to International Oil Companies operating in the Niger-Delta to relocate their headquarters to the region.
Pereotubo Oweilaemi, the President of council told newsmen in Yenagoa on Thursday that relocating the headquarters was necessary to fast-track development in oil rich states in the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, had directed all oil companies operating in the Niger-Delta to relocate their headquarters to the locations where they are engaging in oil productions.
Oweilaemi said: “You are all aware that not too long the acting President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, had asked all IOCs to relocate their headquarters to the areas they producing the oil, but as we speak, the companies have not complied with the directive.
“We want to state it categorically that irrespective of some security challenges, this region is the safest in the country for business; there are nowhere in the country that there are no pockets of criminal activities but unlike the past, our states are safe and very conducive for business.
“We, therefore, once again call on the oil companies to as matter of urgency return to our area for the interest of all stakeholders.
“We cannot continue to pay the price of having our land suffer from oil exploration activities, while other states benefit from the taxes that are due to us.”
Oweilaemi said that if the oil companies could relocate headquarters to the region, jobs would be available for the teaming youths as well reducing criminality.
He said: “So, the council is in support of the Federal Government directive; we, therefore, give them 90 days ultimatum to comply and return to our areas.”
On infrastructural development, the IYC President decried the slow pace of development in the region and urged the Federal Government to fulfill its promises to the people.
Owilaemi said: “There is also need to complete the East-West road, Trans-Atlantic road and rail line, Bonny LNG train 7, Brass LNG project, Agge Deep Sea Port, export processing zone at Ogidigbien, Deep Sea Port, Gbaramatu, among others.”
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