From Tony John, Port Harcourt
The Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide has warned politicians involved in the November 11, 2023, governorship election in Bayelsa State, saying the council would not tolerate any form of bloodshed before, during and after the poll.
Rising from its Executive Council Meeting at the weekend, the IYC also appealed to the federal and state governments to prioritise lasting solutions to flood disasters in the Niger Delta region.
The council in a communique it issued after the meeting said political actors and gladiators must shun any act that could escalate tension in Bayelsa during the forthcoming poll.
The IYC in the communique signed by its President, Alayi Theophilus, asked politicians to shun hate speeches and focus on selling their manifestoes to the people.
The IYC said: “It is our firm belief that the lives and safety of Ijaw citizens should always supersede political considerations and electoral processes. We shall hold politicians responsible if any Ijaw life is lost during and after the election.
“The IYC shall not fold her arms to see that the existing peace we enjoy in the state is damaged. We advise all politicians to shun hate speeches and focus on telling us their manifestos. Our lives are worth more than any political ambition.”
While commending the federal government and other organisations for their support for flood victims in the region, IYC said to permanently address the problem, there must be the construction of critical drainage systems and dredging of flood-prone communities of the region.
He said: “Recognising the recurring nature of these disasters, we urgently call upon both federal and state governments to prioritize and implement enduring solutions. These include the construction of various drainage systems to the tributaries that will offload the water to the sea and initiating comprehensive coastline dredging.
“The Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government must make our abandoned dam in Adamawa functional and create additional three dams within the flood channels to cushion the effect of flood in subsequent years. These dams when completed and made functional, will not just serve as water reservoirs, but also as a source of hydropower that will add to the national grid.
“Ijaw people are yet to recover from the trauma caused by last year’s flooding. Goods worth billions of naira were destroyed and strange diseases are being experienced to date. The palliative can never be compared to the disaster we are experiencing.”
The IYC accused the Delta State governor of marginalizing Ijaw communities in the state in his recent award of N78 billion contracts.
The council said: “While we acknowledge and commend the Delta State Governor for his efforts in awarding a significant N78 billion contract, we find it disheartening to observe the marginalization of the Ijaw territories. Projects like the Ayakoromo bridge which is barely N6 billion to completion is begging for attention.
“The Ojobo road is abandoned. It is, therefore, unjust to exclude Ijaw territories in the N78 billion contract awarded by the Delta State Government. The IYC calls on the Delta State Governor to review his move to include Ijaw communities. We assert that the interests of all communities must be earnestly considered in development initiatives.”
The council further condemned all forms of police brutality within the Niger Delta region particularly recent incidents in Delta State and Rivers State and demanded justice for victims.
Also, the IYC warned against external interference in the surveillance activities of the Federal Government and NNPC insisting that Tompolo had demonstrated effectiveness in handling contracts awarded to his company.
The communique said: “We emphasize the criticality of maintaining stability in the region and since the scope of work is big enough to engage additional Ijaw sons and daughters, it is our humble position that the likes of General Amagbein should be considered for the Bayelsa State section of the surveillance project to promote the actualization of the objectives of the programme.
“We urgently call upon the federal government to reevaluate and expedite the establishment of modular refineries across the Niger Delta region. We are calling on the NNPC and the federal government to release additional 15 modular refineries to sons and daughters of the Niger Delta region that have the capacity to finance such project.
“Furthermore, we implore swift action in ensuring the Port Harcourt refinery commences operation by December as promised by the federal government. Additionally, we stress the immediate mobilization of contractors for the East-West road.”