IYC lauds APC committee’s recommendation of restructuring, resource control

WARRI-  The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) worldwide  has commended the APC committee’s recommendation of restructuring and resource control in the country.

National President of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Mr. Eric Omare disclosed in a statement Friday, said ‘‘While the APC committee on restructuring recommendation on devolution of power including empowering states to have legislative control over mining and oil minerals is a welcome development, the APC led federal government should go further to take immediate steps to implement the recommendation.

‘‘It is not enough for the APC committee on restructuring to recommend for some level of resource control by the states; since the APC is in government at the centre and majority of the states, it should take the further steps to ensure immediate implementation of the recommendations especially that on control of mines and oil minerals by states of the federation which has been a key demand of the Niger Delta people.

Ads

‘‘It is only when the recommendations of the committee are implemented that Nigerians and especially Niger Deltans would take the APC position on restructuring serious. It would be recalled that the APC had promised restructuring prior to the 2015 elections only to deny knowledge of the true meaning of restructuring after winning the general elections. Hence, for the APC to be taken serious on the issue of restructuring, the IYC call on the APC led federal government to immediately initiate the process of amending the relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the Petroleum Act, The Land Use Act, the Minerals and Mining Act, the Petroleum Profit Tax Act and other relevant laws as recommended by the committee to bring the recommendations into reality.’’ He said

Continuing, ‘’The IYC strongly believe that if the APC has the political will, this can be easily done because the party has majority both at the National Assembly and majority of the state houses of assembly to effect immediate amendment of the constitution and relevant laws. Anything short of immediate legislative action to implement the recommendations especially on resource control would be regarded as mere political rhetoric to get the support of Nigerians in the 2019 elections.’’ The statement noted.