Following the hike in the electricity tariff, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has urged all governors within the South-South zone to explore the huge gas resources to generate electricity in the region.
The group, in a statement by its Spokesperson, Bedford Berefa, in Port Harcourt, yesterday, said that following the unbundling of the power sector, which empowers state governments to generate and distribute electricity, it was pertinent the governors of the region expedited action in converting the huge natural gas deposits to generate electricity.
Also, while speaking on related matters, ranging from the current poor economic situation to the humanitarian situation caused by the killings in Okuama Community in Ughelli South Council of Delta State, Berefa expressed concern about the docility of the Niger Delta governors.
He accused the leadership of the South-South governors, who, according to him, are supposed to be at the forefront in handling issues affecting the security and welfare of the people in the region, of complacency, saying they have no clear-cut leadership and regional development agenda as compared to other regions in the country.
He, however, called on the South-South governors to be proactive and speak up on different issues affecting the people of the region, advising them to collectively address the root cause of the crisis in Delta State, making in-depth investigations and settling all aggrieved parties to ensure continuous peace in the affected communities.
He noted that if the issues raised by the group are not properly handled, the situation could trigger other smoky issues, which could lead to renewed hostility, the resurgence of hostage-taking, kidnapping, violence and restiveness among youths in the region.
Berefa noted that if the governors fail to take action on most of the issues raised within seven days, the group would organise protests on the streets of the Niger Delta states to press home their concerns.
