Rivers Youths Want Confab To Address Environmental Issues

Rivers Youths under the
aegis of Grand Visionary Youth Empowerment Initiative have urged delegates to the on-going National Conference to place the issue of environmental degradation of the Niger Delta on the front burner.
Addressing newsmen in Port Harcourt, the state chairman of the Association, Mr Michael Osaro, said that the implementation of several reports on the cleanup of the Niger Delta should be implemented.
According to him, the UNEP report is one of the reports that must be implemented, stressing that Rivers delegates must work as a team to ensure that Federal Government gives adequate attention to issues of environment in the region.
He also said that it was the position of Rivers youths that a proactive measure be taken by the authorities to stem the tide of illegal oil bunkering which has constituted a menace to the Niger Delta environment.
“The youths wish to remind the delegates that implementation of the UNEP report will help to mitigate the impact of pollution on the Ogonis, while modalities be put in place to tackle environmental pollution in the riverine areas of the state,” he said.
Mr Osaro also urged the delegates to canvass for laws that will compel oil companies to take the development of their host communities seriously.
The group also listed other areas to include resource control, derivation principle, revenue allocation and true federalism, while more local government areas be created out of Rivers State.
They commended President Goodluck Jonathan for the convening the national conference.