Scores of Youth Leaders and Ex-Militant Commanders from the Nine States of the Niger Delta, weekend, reviewed the proposed road map to be adopted by the administration of President Muhammad Buhari for peace and the development region, declaring that the proposed plan is commendable and should be supported for sustainable peace.The meeting also reviewed the vote of no confidence passed on the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu over alleged exclusion of youths and reversed the resolution by describing him as a bridge builder.The meeting of the Youth leaders, convened under the aegis of the Niger Delta Youths Assembly and held in Yenagoa,the Bayelsa State capital,was attended by Henry Binidodogha also known as Egbema 1, Salvation Rufus Ibina, Comrade Pastor Ruben Wilson, Hon Ibarakumo Otobo, a youth leader and Special Adviser to the Bayelsa State Governor on Youth as well as leader of the Niger Delta Ex agitators Forum Prince Amaibi Hornby.Speaking during the opening ceremony of the meeting, Hon Kennedy Tonjo West, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Bayelsa State on Niger Delta Youth Matters, said the purpose of the meeting was to Marshall out plans on how to galvanized youth leaders to support the President Mohammadu Buhari and Minister of State for Petroleum towards achieving their principal objective which is to transform the Nigerias oil industry while taking into consideration the need to speed up human and infrastructure development of the region that lays the golden egg.The Youth leaders in the communiqu issued at the end of the meeting and made available to leadership yesterday via email,passed a vote of confidence on Minister of State for petroleum resources Dr Ibe Kachikwu, describing him as a bridge builder who is working relentlessly towards restoring peace in the region.Consequently, the Niger Delta Youth Leaders have pledged to work with Dr Ibe Kachikwu to enable him achieve President Buharis new roadmap for the oil sector and the Niger Delta.The meeting also called on leaders of the region to brain storm on how to fashion out a proactive approach towards sustaining the already existing peace in the region, appraised the achievements recorded by Dr Ibe Kachikwu and the GMD NNPC whom the youths said have worked hard to ensure that the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari for the Niger delta region is brought to fruition.According to the communiqu, the youths averred that Dr Kachikwu in addition toinstituting reforms that have positively repositioned the oil industry, has also made conscious efforts to rally round his kinsmen towards restoring peace in the troubled regionAs youth leaders in the Niger Delta, We are fully aware of the steps taken by the Petroleum Minister to restore sanity in the oil and gas sector. The successful launch of the 7 bigwins a new oil sector roadmap which identifies the development of the Niger delta as crucial to the progress of the petroleum sector. Efforts by the minister to revamp the nations ailing refineries are also a big plus. We equally appreciate the minister for championing the China, India, Eni deals which will create employment for thousands of skilled and unskilled youths across the regionThe group in the communiqu also commended the ongoing fact finding tour embarked upon by the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osibanjo to the States of the Niger Delta with the aim of having firsthand knowledge of the peculiar nature of the oil producing areas of the region. According to them, the tour which was made possible based on series of earlier consultations by the petroleum minister will facilitate the peace process in the Niger Delta.The Youth leaders however want the vice president to extend the time of his visit to Bayelsa and Rivers States to enable him get firsthand information on the true situation in strategic oil communities such as Koluama, Brass, Ezetu, Sangana, Bonny, Soku and Omoku.TheYouth Leaders appealed to President Buhari to speed up the inauguration of the Dialogue committee to demonstrate his administrations seriousness in restoring peace in the region.This according to them is evidence in the ministers display of statesmanship and patriotism when he recently held meetings with governors and other key stakeholders in the Niger Delta not minding that the region is dominated by a political party different from the one at the centre.The meeting which was well attended by youths across the Nine states of the Niger Delta region, resolved to come up with a developmental blueprint on how to assist the petroleum minister and the management of the NNPC succeed in their quest to shore up crude oil production output in a secured and peaceful environment in the Niger Delta.
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