The leadership of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) has cautioned the northern youths under the Arewa youths assembly against the use of derogatory comments against the capacity of the foremost former Niger Delta freedom fighter, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo also known Tompolo in handling the Crude Oil surveillance contract awarded by the federal government through the NNPC limited.
According to the IYC, despite the vexatious and provocative nature of the comment and threat of protest by the Arewa group, the youths of the six states of the Niger Delta region are in support of the decision to award the surveillance contract to Tompolo and asserted that his capacity can never be questioned by meddlesome interloper youths such as the northern youths.
The IYC, through its National Spokesman, Comrade Ebilade Ekerefe, warned that instead of the northern youths becoming hired hands to criminal elements involved in the oil theft in the region and castigate the person or leadership of Tompolo, they should focus their energy on supporting the security agencies to tackle rising cases of kidnapping, terrorism and assist in security the northern states.
He said “They should also know that while the likes of Tompolo and many sincere youth leaders were working to protect the peace and security of the Niger Delta, what were they doing to contribute to the needed security in the north? Tompolo has worked tirelessly for the peace in the Niger Delta and will continue to sustain and protect the wealth of the nation.”
Ekerefe, while declaring that the northern youths’ lack the right to fault the NNPC and federal government decision on the award of oil surveillance contract, warned that the Arewa Youths should be shameful that Tompolo and others are protect the source that feeds the nation while they are idle and allowing insecurity to fete the northern states.
The IYC also commended the NNPC limited under the leadership of Mallam Mpele Kolo Kyari and the federal government for its wisdom in awarding the pipeline surveillance contract to Tompolo, noting that it is sigh of good faith and a step in the right direction, “Let us use this opportunity to also say that our struggle in the region is the complete control of our resources but we must commend the FG for doing the right thing by given the protection of vital nation’s wealth to our leaders. We also want to state that the agitation and struggle for resource control is an article of faith and the struggle cannot be compromised.
“The federal government has done the right thing by giving the oil pipeline surveillance contract to the Niger Delta youth leaders. These are leaders that are passionate about peace and a safe environment. While this is happening, the FG should also as a matter of urgency address the very issues we have raised bothering the completion of the East/West road project, the immediate setting up of the NDDC Board and the quick completion of the cleanup of the Ogoni land. As government that is winding up, they should show seriousness towards these issues and let the people be proud to say this administration have done well.”
