Youths Blame Oil Theft On Unemployment

Some youths in Port Harcourt have cited?unemployment and poverty for the?increasing problem of?oil theft in the Niger Delta.

The youths made the observation on Tuesday in Port Harcourt in an interview on the sidelines of a workshop, organised by the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency.

One of the youths, Mr George Emmanuel, a graduate of the University of Port Harcourt, said that unemployment was a major factor,?luring?many youths to engage in crimes, that some ?youths believed that they could make quick money through crime.

Emmanuel said that  lack of job opportunities had also made some youths to form associations to venture into all kinds of businesses to make ends meet.

He urged government to create jobs for?youths to keep them busy.

“The government should open companies to?produce goods?and close the borders against?imported goods. Our leaders should encourage Nigerians to patronise made-in-Nigeria products and upgrade our manufacturing sector by equipping our factories,” Emmanuel said.

Also speaking on the issue,? Mr Robert Chukwu, stressed the need for?government to industrialise the country to attract investors and tourists.

He said that government should not depend solely on the oil sector.

Chukwu?said that the government should utilise revenue from the sale of crude oil to develop other sectors of the economy such as was done in Dubai.

“If Nigeria has many companies and industries owned by Nigerians, the youths will?be employed for production,’’ he said.

Another youth, Mr Sampson Goodwill?said that government should empower the youths by putting infrastructure in place.

He said that government should also train and equip?youths, instead of using them as agents of destabilisation.

“If militants and members of the Boko?Haram sect were not sponsored, they will not be violent.? They will not destroy lives and property. “Our youths need to be busy in offices, companies and industries to contribute to the growth of the country,” he said.