The National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN, which is the umbrella body of all the Youth organisations in Nigeria and the mouthpiece of the entire Nigerian Youth, has launched a nationwide campaign against Oil Bunkering, Pipeline Vandalism and adulteration of Petroleum products in Nigeria.
While addressing journalists during the project launch in Enugu, Amb. Innocent Nduanya, the Council’s National Deputy President, who represented the National President, Amb. Sukubo Saraigbe Sukubo stated that NYCN has decided to actively collaborate with the Government at all levels and the security agencies to put an end to the unwholesome cum unpatriotic practices going on in the Nigerian Petroleum sector.
“On behalf of our leader, Amb. Sukubo Saraigbe Sukubo, National President of National Youth Council of Nigeria, I wish to state emphatically our commitment towards actively collaborating with the Government and the security agencies to put an end to all unwholesome practices going on in the Nigerian Petroleum sector.
“We are here in Enugu to flag off a sensitization campaign by the National Youth Council’s National Directorate on Petroleum and Solid Minerals.
“It’s a campaign against Oil Bunkering and all other illegal activities going on in the Nigerian Petroleum sector including pipeline Vandalism and Petroleum products Adulteration.
“We have taken it upon ourselves to sensitive the youths of the need to be conscious of what they do because whatever actions they take today will have an effect on the youths, themselves and the growth of our economy.
“I urge the youths to shun all these illegitimate activities which amount to economic sabotage”.
Nduanya, however, stated that the task before them is challenging; “You know it’s not an easy task because those involved in oil Bunkering and these other illegal activities are not small boys.
“However, we remain undaunted. The only thing that we need from Nigerian youths is their cooperation. With their support, we shall restore sanity to the oil industry”.
In his own speech, Amb. Donald Datolu Sukubo, Director of the Directorate of Petroleum and Solid Minerals stated that pipeline Vandalization and other illegal activities in the oil industry have “negative effects on the environment.
“For one, Pipeline Vandalization and oil Bunkering are very hazardous to our ecosystem and aquatic life.
“It’s not just the youths that are involved, some people who are no longer youths are involved too.
“I’m from the riverine area of Nigeria, oil Bunkering and pipeline Vandalization has done so much damage to our environment. We are fishermen but nowadays, if you cast your net into the river, what you will see is oil, no longer fish. Also, our mangrove has turned white, no longer green”
“At this point, the Directorate of Petroleum and Solid Minerals has taken it upon itself to embark on this campaign to sensitize the youths on the effects of these illegal activities on our economy”.
He also urged the Federal Government to facilitate the operation of modular refineries, as a long term solution to reducing the illegal activities in the oil industry to the barest minimum.
Prince Nixon Ahanonu, Secretary of the Directorate of Petroleum and Solid Minerals /National Coordinator, NYCN Campaign Against on Oil Bunkering, Pipeline Vadalism and Petroleum products Adulteration stated that the gains of the campaign are numerous
“If the campaign succeeds, the Government knows what to do for the youths. When there is money, there will be more job opportunities. If there is peace, workers will receive their salaries duly, students will enjoy quality education, there will be infrastructural development and economic prosperity”
On the issue of youths unemployment and frustration with the Government, especially the ongoing ASUU strike, he had this to say, “There is no way an illegality can become legal. ASUU is on strike due to Government’s inability to meet up with their demands due to dwindling oil revenue. Today, Nigeria’s economy is largely dependent on oil”
“These illegal activities lead to economic sabotage and loss of lives”
He equally asked for the support and collaboration of security agencies since his Directorate’s task is “to pass information to the security agencies who would then take action against the youths and others involved in such acts of economic sabotage”.
