IYC to Push for Review of 13% Derivation Formula – Igbefa
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President of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Comrade Igbifa Peter Igbefa, has said the body would work for an upward review of the 13 per cent derivation formula being given to oil producing States by the Federal Government.
Comrade Igbefa said this during a courtesy visit to the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri in Government House, Yenagoa.
According to him, the body cannot over-emphasise the negative effects of climate change and gas flaring on the lives of people living in the area, adding that issues of environmental pollution and degradation should no longer be handled with kid gloves.
He said the organisation would ensure that International Oil Companies operating in the State meet their responsibilities in line with the Global Memorandum of Understanding signed with the host communities in the state.
The IYC President also congratulated the governor on his Appeal Court victory, describing it as another victory for his administration.
Governor Diri on his part, charged the leadership of the IYC to imbibe the principles of truth, passion and service to the Ijaw nation.
The Governor enjoined them to uphold the core values that gave birth to the parent body, Ijaw National Congress (INC), which, according to him, is not just an association but instead the spirit of the Ijaw people.
He also called on the new IYC leadership to unite the youths in order to confront environmental challenges occasioned by the activities of multinational oil companies.
He advised them to see their emergence as an opportunity to change the narrative of the average Ijaw youth and positively harness their energy toward lofty ideals and not for self-aggrandisement.
His words: “The dream of our founding fathers is not an Ijaw of disunity, acrimony and hatred. It is an Ijaw of unity, love, development and for Ijaw land to be a tourist attraction. That is the divine mission you and I have today.
“Some people see INC, IYC as associations. They are not. Rather these bodies are the spirit of the Ijaws. Some see it as an avenue for money making. But no, this is service to Ijaw land.
“The IYC President was not chosen because of his height, oratory or academic qualifications. But God has seen your heart. He looks into the heart of men before you were chosen.
“You also said that we allowed a level playing field during the election. I don’t sit here and say let only PDP or APC constitute the IYC leadership. Before PDP and APC, we were Ijaw people and we will remain as Ijaw people. Our ecosystem is threatened. Our environment destroyed and this is the only way that we can recover our environment or ecosystem and ensure that we develop with other ethnic nationalities in the country.”
On the issue of gas flaring and oil pollution that endanger the health and land of the Ijaw people, Governor Diri expressed displeasure with the international oil companies that have consistently neglected the pains of the people while the Federal Government enjoyed the royalty at their expense.
“Our people are not yet emancipated and all the things that Isaac Boro talked about are still here with us. Nigeria is a country of inequity and injustice. That is why I always call on the federal government to ensure that there is justice and equity. That is the only way Nigeria can develop,” he said.
