Allow Buhari to implement policies, IYC tells militants

Simon Utebor, Yenagoa

The umbrella body of Ijaw youths, Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide, has asked militants operating in the Niger Delta area to embrace peace and allow President Muhammadu Buhari to implement his developmental projects in the region.

The IYC also expressed delight at the recent letter the President sent to the National Assembly seeking increased funding for the Presidential amnesty programme.

The President, IYC, Mr. Udengs Eradiri, who spoke in Yenagoa on Wednesday, said the request for additional funds for the PAP portrayed Buhari as a listening President.

He observed that although Buhari’s action came later than expected, it (the action) would go a long way in calming frayed nerves in the region.

Eradiri said that Buhari’s action was in tandem with the position of the IYC and urged the President to show similar commitment to the institutions created to develop the Niger Delta region such as the Ministry of the Niger Delta Affairs and the Niger Delta Development Commission.

While asking militants to give Buhari a chance, he said, “Yes, the militants should give the government a chance. But the government needs to be proactive and not falling into this stereotype attitude.

“The President may be doing the right thing but when there is delay, his body language may be misinterpreted. For instance, if this current step of the President had come earlier, l don’t see any sane agitator going against him.

“The President has taken an action. But did we have to lose all these lives, economy and all the constraints and emotional crisis before such a letter should be transmitted? Sometimes, when you do something late, it has repercussions. If the actions Mr. President is taking now had been taken earlier, we wouldn’t have got to this point where the economy will be lying prostrate. We need more proactive steps from the President.”

Eradiri also urged the President to ensure discipline in the utilisation of the allocated funds and prudent management by people who understood the problems in the region.

He said, “We want to also state that while approving funds for institutions like this, the anti-corruption drive must be activated to ensure that the institutions live up to their expectations to ensure that funds are not diverted.

“Those in the position to manage the amnesty office and other institutions addressing the issues of the region must be people who have knowledge of the issues. If he doesn’t have the right people to address the issues, even the funding will be misplaced.”