Ijaw youths threaten shutdown of oil facilities over spillage

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has issued a 60-day ultimatum to the federal government and relevant agencies to commence full-scale remediation and clean-up of all polluted Ijaw territories.

The council warned that if no visible and concrete action is taken within the deadline, it would collectively and decisively shut down all oil and gas facilities operating in Ijaw areas.

“The Ijaw people will no longer tolerate the destruction of their land, waters, livelihoods, and future,” the council said in a communique issued on Sunday, signed by its President, Dr Alaye Theophilus, following its National Convention in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The convention condemned decades of ecological damage, oil pollution, and environmental degradation caused by reckless oil and gas exploitation.

Dr Theophilus announced the constitution of a mobilisation and sensitisation committee to visit all Ijaw territories, clans, and communities to educate and organise residents in preparation for a coordinated shutdown should the federal government fail to act.

The IYC also called for the immediate removal of Prof. Nenibarin Zabbey, project coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), alleging he lacks understanding of the agency’s mandate and the essence of its establishment.

The council passed a vote of confidence in Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State for a second term and endorsed President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 general election, reflecting its political positions alongside environmental demands.

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