IYC TO FG: Kick-start EPZ, Deep Seaport For Peace To Reign

—Urged FG To Kick Start Projects Immediately

—As Hunger Instigates Restiveness

A pan-Ijaw organization, Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), Worldwide, has advised the Federal Government to kick-start the twin projects recently cited in the Niger Delta as a pragmatic way of showing commitment to the development of the region and enthronement of a sustainable peace

The projects according to the Group are the Export Processing Zone (EPZ), and the Deep Seaport Projects at Ogidigben and Gbaramatu respectively in Warri South West Local Government Area, Delta state.

Speaking through a release signed by the Eric Omare-led IYC and made available to GbaramatuVoice, he stated that the twin projects if kicked started are expected to provide direct jobs for more than ten thousand people.

This development, the Group believes will help in no small measure in bringing our nation’s comatose economy out of the wood and at the same time, set it on the part of sustainable growth.

Comrade Omare noted with nostalgia that under the Goodluck administration, the EPZ and Deep Sea-Port projects were given priority attention with foreign investors that were prepared to invest.

He then, pointed out that the current administration has been paying lip service to the projects since assumption of office as they have never for one day take a drastic step in this direction that portrays seriousness.

Supporting his claim, IYC President further stated that the current administration has not demonstrated a keen interest in the execution of these projects as the Petroleum Minister, Mr. Ibe Kachikwu is only good at making promises which were never fulfilled.

The Group, therefore, warned the federal government to demonstrate its commitment to tackling the challenges of youth restiveness, militancy, and unemployment in the Niger Delta region by quickly embarking on these projects.

“You cannot be talking about arresting youths restiveness and still be paying lip service to these projects, IYC stated.

Speaking in the same token, he claimed that these projects hold the keys to the economic revival of the Niger Delta region.

While quantifying the economic values of these projects, the Ijaw Youths stressed that the fabrication and other related activities embedded in the projects coupled with the dredging of the Escravos bar to Warri port would definitely revive the now moribund Warri Seaport and at time boost employment opportunities.

They, therefore, drew the attention of the Federal Government to the fact that they cannot be talking of sustaining the present peace in the Niger Delta region in the midst of hunger as they opined that hunger instigates crisis.