Pipeline Surveillance: We Won’t Be Used To Validate Oppression Of N’Delta Youths – IYC

Foremost Ijaw youth group, the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide, says it will not be part of any illegal methods tailored to shortchange Niger Delta youths over pipeline surveillance jobs in the region.

The group said it would not be party to any agenda aimed at undoing the people and conning them out of the opportunities and natural advantage that accrue them.

IYC said that attempt by Ocean Marine and its management to forcefully seize the pipeline security job from the current operators would not be tolerated.

This was contained in a statement by Barr.Igbeta Ayebakuro National Legal Adviser IYC, Worldwide and Daniel Dasimaka National Spokesman of the group.

“The statement that came out of the council in the last two days, on the choice of some group of youths and former agitators from communities that fall within OML 30, who had embarked on a protest taking their plea to the Delta state government over their fears of being displaced and deprived of their legitimately guaranteed daily bread, by forces they consider to be using all means, including unlawful and brutal means, was not issued with an intent to support injustice against our own.

“Though, as we earlier noted, Ocean Marine and its owner, Captain Hosa Okunbo, are also from Niger Delta and we do not believe they should be discriminated in any form, but we must state, unequivocally, that the initial information provided by Ocean Marine and its drivers was less than truthful and we are of the view that inadequate information was provided to mislead the council.

“To this end, it is the opinion of the IYC that no genuine Niger Delta person or group should do anything to hurt the interest of the people of the region and in this instance, the hard-working youths and ex-agitators from the OML 30 communities in Delta state.

“This message is directed to Ocean Marine and its management to back off from using the current unwholesome and illegal methods they are employing to forcefully seize the pipeline security job from the current operators. We will not be used to validate oppression of our brothers”.