Youths of the Niger
Delta region have called on the presidency and both arms of the National Assembly to expunge the Land Use Act from the constitution for fairness, equity and justice.
Niger Delta Youth Coalition (NDYC) made the call Friday, after an emergency executive council meeting of the group held in Port Harcourt.
The National Co-ordinator of NDYC, Prince Emmanuel Ogba, who addressed the press said the act is the major impendiment bedevelling the socio-economic development of oil-producing states of the nation.
“The Act is unjust, unfair, and was borne out of prejudice and I wonder why democrats  have allowed such an act to remain particularly at this stage of the nation’s democracy”, he said.
Describing the act as an embarrassment, NDYC called on President Goodluck Jonathan, the Senate President, David Mark and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambunwal, to save Nigeria from the embarrassment by appropriately amending the Act, insisting it is the mother of wickedness and embarrassment to Nigeria.
“Land Use Act is modern day stealing of what belongs to the people and this present administration would be writing its name in gold if it expunges that act,” he insisted.
The group equally called for the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) to enable oil producing communities as well as oil-bearing communities enjoy their due benefits from the oil proceed.
The co-ordinator explained that a good PIB would address the much imbalances in the sector and would engender a new dawn not only for the oil producing states but the entire nation, as well as the oil companies.
Ogba noted the enthusiasm that ushered in the bill in the house amidst great expectations from Nigerians but remarked that the continued delay is suspicious.

Chris Oluoh