**Agreed To Join Ijaw, Itsekiri To Shutdown Operations of IOCs
Urhobo youths, under the aegis of Urhobo Youth Leaders Association (UYLA), has asked the Federal Government to suspend plans to divert gas from Urhobo to Ajaokuta, Abuja, Kaduna, Kano and Niger Republic until all host communities in Urhobo land are guaranteed regular electricity supply.
The youths also called for the disbandment of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and inaugurate the new board screened and confirmed by the National Assembly several months ago.
in a statement signed by its Acting National President, Olorogun Vincent Oyibode, National Secretary, Chief Tony Ofoni and National Publicity Secretary, Chief Samuel Oghotomo also joined their Ijaw and Itsekiri brothers to call for the stoppage of sales of 57 marginal oil fields to strangers and give priority of choice to investors from the host communities.
According to the statement, the Federal Government must satisfy the demands submitted by the Federated Host Communities to Utorogu Gas Plant for Local Content jobs and contracts for Phases 2 and 3, pay compensation of N500 billion to families of victims of the Idjerhe pipeline fire disaster of 1998 and restore the Sapele Sea Port taken over by the Nigerian Navy.
“MoU with Urhobo oil and gas host communities to work out equitable formula for employment of Urhobo indigenes and execution of major contracts and supplies in the Ogidigben Gas Project as much of the gas stock for the project will be sourced from Urhobo, stop action on the proposed law for Federal monopoly or ownership of Niger Delta rivers and waterways.
“Guaranteed adequate funding for the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun and the Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko and stop the implementation of the report of the 2014 National Conference, including 100% resources control, states, Local Government Areas and police.
The youths threatened that if the Federal Government fails to address their demands, they will not hesitate to join their Itsekiri and Ijaw brothers to shutdown every oil and gas facilities in Urhobo land.
