Youths Council constitutes committee on FG’s proposed modular refineries

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) on Tuesday constituted a technical committee to work out details of the Federal Government’s proposed modular refineries.

The IYC President, Mr Eric Omare, told newsmen in Yenagoa that efforts were underway to shortlist competent people from the Niger Delta region with technical expertise to serve in the committee.

The youth leader advised the Federal Government against politicising the proposed modular refineries to achieve the noble objectives of the policy to drive economic development of the Niger Delta region.

Omare applauded the Federal Government for acceding to the request of the Niger Delta region by legalising artisanal refineries and upgrading it to modular refineries.

He urged the Federal Government to allow people of the region to invest in the proposed modular refineries to give them a sense of belonging.

He noted that upgrading the local refineries would introduce environmental standards and check the irregular discharge of crude and its consequent pollution of the area.

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“The reason why the Niger Delta people are very keen is because the modular refinery concept offers solution to our environmental challenges posed by local refineries with added advantages of skills acquisition and empowerment.

“It will resolve conflicts with oil firms and enhance security in the region.

“However, the point must be made clearly that the idea of modular refineries and palliatives are not the ultimate solution to the Niger Delta agitation, the ultimate solution lies in addressing the question of resource control and management, ” Omare said.