An Ikwerre born diaspora  business executive, Jerry Wanodi, has urged youths in the Niger Delta and those that engage in illegal bunkering activities to come together and form cooperative societies to enable them do legal business.
He also hinted of his plan to establish a foundation that will purely cater for the development and empowerment of youths in Rivers State.
Wanodi who disclosed this in a chat with aviation correspondents at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, shortly before his departure to Abuja, recently, insisted that there was a need for the youths to properly organise themselves for meaningful endeavour.
According to him, “a lot of talents are being wasted among the youths, because a lot of them lay hands on what they think is available to them, whereas some of the great potentials in them ought to be properly harnessed”.
He said that forming cooperative societies would help them to establish business of their choice, as well as have access to available funds to do business in the region.
“Time to apply for license and establish modular refineries is now. Cooperative societies in the petroleum sector can also be given license to build modular refineries which will serve as antidote for illegal bunkering that destroys human and aquatic lives, as well as the nation’s economy”, he said.
Wanodi whose business is based in the United States and Nigeria noted that the Niger Delta and Nigeria in general were blessed with mineral resources and other endowment, but lacked the potentials to harness and manage the resources.
He called on stakeholders in the Niger Delta to create conducive environment for business to thrive, adding that government is interested in the operations of modular refineries.
According to him, the Federal Government through the Central Bank of Nigeria and other sources have made funds available to individuals and companies that want to do genuine business.

By: Corlins Walter