The Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Worldwide, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Rivers State Governor, Siminialaye Fubara, to prioritize the development of the Niger Delta and Ijaw riverine communities in the state. The IYC President, Peter Timothy Igbifa, congratulated Tinubu and Fubara on their inaugurations and also called for massive youth empowerment in the Niger Delta region and the state.
In a statement sent to Media Talk Africa, Igbifa appealed to Fubara to undertake road projects that would link riverine communities to facilitate the movement of goods and services, which would speed up the overall development of the state. He also asked the Rivers governor to develop a new city in the riverine area that would have all the trappings of living in Port Harcourt.
Igbifa further urged Fubara to prioritize job creation, employment opportunities, and youth empowerment programs to engage young people effectively, which is the best way to fight crimes in the state.
In addition, Igbifa called on President Tinubu to adequately fund the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Ministry of the Niger Delta to propel the development of the region. He urged Tinubu to complete all abandoned projects in all the states that make up the region turning Niger Delta into a massive construction site.
Igbifa also called for the declaration of a state of emergency on the East-West road, with the hope that Tinubu’s presidency will immediately complete the abandoned road.
In his statement, Igbifa said, “We are happy that Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been inaugurated as the President of our great country. We do not doubt his capacity. We, therefore, call on him to prioritize the development of the Niger Delta.”
The Ijaw Youth Council also urged Tinubu to complete all abandoned projects in the region and stop the remapping of Akwa Ibom State immediately.
The call for the development of the Niger Delta has become crucial, especially with the increasing rate of crimes in the area. According to statistics, many young people engage in criminal activities due to the lack of jobs and other employment opportunities. Prioritizing the development of the area would create jobs, reduce youth restiveness, and ultimately, contribute to the growth and development of the region.
