The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Western Zone has once again tasked the governors of Delta, Edo, and Ondo States to give developmental priority to Ijaw areas.
Chairman of the IYC Western Zone, Comrade Nicholas Igarama, amplified the call at the end of a zonal congress held on Wednesday at the Civic Centre in Kiagbodo, Ngbilebiri Clan.
The call followed long hours of deliberations as members of the apex Ijaw body expressed displeasure at the slow pace of developmental inputs by Governors Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, Monday Okpebholo of Edo State and Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State in Ijaw territories.
The IYC Western Zone also lamented the low number of appointees by the governors from Ijaw extraction since assuming office.
According to Igarama, the IYC ordinarily expects the aforementioned governors to govern with equity and fairness in areas of appointments and infrastructural development.
“For instance, the recent 2025 budget passed by the Delta State House of Assembly has no monetary allocation for both and existing projects in Ijaw areas. This is a slap on our faces.
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“For a people who displayed commitment in giving you the votes that brought you into office, it is unacceptable.
“We are also aware that the recent appointments into the board of the Edo State Oil Producing Areas Commission by Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has no single Ijaw person listed.
“There are more than enough Ijaw sons and daughters qualified to fill these offices. It beats our imagination that Okpebholo has towed in the path of undermining the efforts of our people towards his victory.
“We use this medium to call on the governors of Delta, Edo, and Ondo states to prioritize the development and welfare of Ijaws who have continued to show cooperation in maintaining law and order despite their marginalization,” Igarama added.
The Congress also culminated with deliberations ahead of the IYC National Congress slated for Friday, December 20, 2024, at Odi, Bayelsa State.
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