PIB: Ijaw youths warn Northern Governors
'Don’t start problems that will overwhelm you'
The umbrella body of Ijaw youths in the Niger Delta, Ijaw Youth Council, has warned the Northern Governors' Forum over its opposition to the Petroleum Industry Bill and call for the review of the sharing formula of oil proceeds.
IYC said the forum's opposition to the PIB as voiced by the Chairman and Governor of Niger State, Dr. Aliyu Babangida, was capable of leading the country to a disaster.
Governor Aliyu stirred controversy recently when he called for a review of the crude oil revenue sharing formula as well as alteration of the PIB, which gives the Minister of Petroleum Resource almost unlimited powers.
However, the President of IYC, Miabiye Kuromiema, cautioned that the statement could unleash fresh violence and unrest and advised the NGF and its parent body, the Nigeria Governors' Forum, to tread with caution.
He said, "We recognise that it is provocative, it is divisive and the forum led by Dr. Aliyu is leading this country to a disaster by such pronouncements. They and even the entire Governors' Forum are pushing this country to a precipice of disaster and I do not think they have the capacity to withstand the disaster that will arise."
Similarly, Kuromiema also waved aside the controversy generated by multibillion-naira pipeline surveillance contracts to former warlords, Chief Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo), Tom Ateke, Boyloaf, Asari Tokubor and others.
Revelation about mouthwatering contracts to the ex-militant leaders have led to widespread criticism of President Goodluck Jonathan's policies and cuddling of the repentant warlords.
However, the IYC President said the beneficiaries are eminently qualified to get such juicy contracts, stressing that there was even need for them to earn more.
Meanwhile, Kuromiema expressed the determination of the IYC to actualise the struggle for resource control, stressing that it would achieve the effort through legal and civil means in the Niger Delta.
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