IYC Cautions Arewa Youths Over Derogatory Comments Against Tompolo

The Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) has cautioned the Arewa Youth Assembly over the use of derogatory comments against Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo in handling the crude oil surveillance contract awarded to him by the federal government.
According to the IYC, despite the vexatious and provocative nature of the comment and threat of protest by the Arewa Youths Assembly, the youths of the six states of the Niger Delta region are totally in support of the award the surveillance contract to Tompolo.
The IYC, through its national spokesman, Ebilade Ekerefe, warned that instead of the northern youths becoming hired hands to criminal elements involved in oil theft in the region to malign Government Ekpemupolo, they should focus their energy on supporting the security agencies to tackle the rising cases of kidnapping, banditry and terrorism in northern region.
Speaking at the weekend in Yenagoa, Ekerefe asked, “While the likes of Tompolo and many sincere youth leaders were working to protect the peace and security of the Niger Delta, what were they doing to contribute to the needed security in the north?
“Tompolo has worked tirelessly for the peace in the Niger Delta and will continue to sustain and protect the wealth of the nation in collaboration with other stakeholders,” he stated.
Declaring that the northern youths lack the right to fault the NNPC and federal government’s decision on the award of oil surveillance contract, he said Arewa youths should be ashamed that Tompolo and others are protecting the source that feeds the nation while they are idle and allowing insecurity to fete the North.
The IYC also commended NNPC Limited under the leadership of Mallam Mpele Kolo Kyari for wisdom in awarding the pipeline surveillance contract to Tompolo, noting that it is a sign of good faith and a step in the right direction and demanded attention to pending issues on the Niger Delta.
He said, “Let us use this opportunity to also say that our struggle in the region is a complete control of our resources but we must commend the federal government for doing the right thing by giving the protection of vital nation’s wealth to our leaders. We also want to state that the agitation and struggle for resource control is an article of faith and the struggle cannot be compromised.
“The federal government has done the right thing by giving the oil pipeline surveillance contract to the Niger Delta youth leaders. These are leaders that are passionate about peace and a safe environment.
“While this is happening, the federal government should also as a matter of urgency, address the very issues we have raised bothering on the completion of the East/West road project, the immediate setting up of the NDDC board and the quick completion of the cleanup of the Ogoni land. As a government that is winding up, they should show seriousness towards these issues and let the people be proud to say this administration has done well”.
The IYC spokesman also called on the oil operators to relocate to the region as directed by President Buhari.
“We also want to use the opportunity to call on the oil companies to heed the call of President Buhari and relocate to the region. They should be aware the region is the most peaceful at the moment and it is as a result of the concerted efforts by stakeholders to make it calm. We have agreed that instead of violent agitation, the region should intellectually engage the federal government on issues bothering on the survival of our people”.