Niger delta youths demand national inclusion, completion of abandoned projects 

Niger Delta National Youth Leaders and Stakeholders’ Forum (NDNYLSF) has called for inclusion, funding and  support in the National Council on Niger Delta, even as they asked for the  approval of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.

The group also wants the federal government, international development partners and other stakeholders to do everything possible to ensure that all the abandoned projects in the region are completed.

Addressing a press conference Wednesday in Abuja, the Niger delta group emphasized the need for other Parastatals under the ministry to still retain their structures and terms of references, adding that it has become necessary to avoid project duplication and improve institutional and budgetary capacities.

While appreciating government efforts towards the amnesty agenda and empowerment of ex-militants, the president of the group,  Prince Felix A. Ihonre,  said the population of peaceful and development oriented young people working towards peace and development of the region far outweighs and remarkably overwhelms the Militant groups.

“It therefore, becomes economically and socially expedient for an improvement in government strategies to evolve a conscious mechanism to massively engage and empower youths working in peace building, social and political issues, and community development structures across the Niger Delta States.

“These youths will, in turn, naturally engage in the assignment of protecting government infrastructures and contractors and workers of companies operating in the States of Region. This improved strategy will go a long way to discouraging militancy and encouraging massive youth participation in peace building platforms and activities.

“That 1% of the annual net profit is set aside by companies operating in the region through the MNDA to be implemented by NDNYSLF to be utilized in direct funding of programmes and project initiated by the Youths themselves. We are in the process of acquiring statutory recognition with Cooperate Affairs Commission to enhance all our business operations with stakeholders.”

Ihonre appealed that the ministry, development partners, private sectors and stakeholders should assist the NDNYSLF to implement the already developed Niger delta peace and development youth action plan containing the 2013 – 2020 roadmap.

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