Akpabio Appeals To Protesting Ijaw Youths To Suspend Action

…. Warns Against Hijack By Hoodlums

… As Ijaw Youths Call On FG To Rescue It’s President

By Matthew Ogune, Abuja

Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Senator Godswill Akpabio, has urged protesting youths from the Niger Delta region to end the protest to ensure sustainable peace in the region.

The Minister who stated this while addressing representatives of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) in Abuja expressed fears that the protest if allowed to continue might be hijacked by hoodlums who may cause havock to the peaceful region.

The Minister who remarked that the region which has been one of the most peaceful region in the country should not allow itself to be plunged into crisis, promising that the issues tabled by the youths from the region will be addressed.

According to him, a board for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) will be constituted after the forensic audit ordered by the President.

The Minister who recalled that the audit exercise was to be completed within six months regretted that the exercise was extended by three months due to the difficult nature of the job.

He disclosed that the auditors have already submitted two interim reports to the President, adding that by July they are expected to submit their final report to pave way for the inauguration of the board.

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Responding on behalf of IYC, the national PRO, Ebilade Ekerefe, appealed to the Federal government and security agencies to rescue the President of the council, Igbifa who was adopted on his way to Abuja Tuesday morning.

Ekerefa noted that Igbifa was on his way to Abuja to lead the council to the discussion with the minister of Niger Delta when the unfortunate incident took place.

He however, called on their protesting members in the region to remain calm and peaceful because the issue of constitution of board of NDDC which ignited the protest is been addressed by the federal government through the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.