IYC Gives Multi-Nationals Two Weeks Ultimatum …Threatens To Publish Names Of Illegal Oil Bunkerers

The Ijaw Youth Council, (IYC) Kalabari Chapter, has given two weeks ultimatum to multinational companies operating in the area to employ their youth or risk closure of their operations.

The Chairman of the council, Comrade Sobarasua Odum, made this disclosure while speaking with newsmen, yesterday in Port Harcourt.

Odum, said the decision became imperative after series of letters written to the multinationals met brick walls.

Accordingly to him, the oil companies are only interested in their operations without minding how their host communities were faring.

He regretted that the companies have refused to offer gainful employment to the youth in spite of the huge profit they are making from the area.

He debunked insinuations that the youths are not ready to work, saying that the IYC under his leadership has gone far in sensitizing the people on the need to shun any form of laziness.

The IYC leader also pointed out that his people will do any thing within their reach to ensure that crude oil theft activities are reduced to the barest minimum.

He further explained that crude oil theft gave rise to sea piracy in the Kalabari Kingdom, adding that IYC will soon publish the names,those behind the act should they fail to turn a new leaf.

Sobarasua, also said that they were ready to partner  the Rivers State Government to fight criminality in the state, including the Kalabari Kingdom.

The Tide learnt that the IYC leader was among the repentant militants who are now determined to inculcate positive values in the minds of young people.

Others who spoke regretted that some powerful members of the society were still sponsoring crude oil theft activities in spite government’s warning for them to desist forthwith.

They also blamed illegal oil activities on ignorance, adding that its negative impact on the environment out-weighs  the huge financial benefits.