Mr Kenedy Tonjo-West, a Non-Violent Youth leader in the
Niger Delta on Sunday gave credit to the Chief of Defence Staff Lt.-Gen Gabriel
Olorunshakin for curbing renewed agitation that threatened oil output.
He also applauded the military for the successes recorded
in the North-East in degrading the capacity of the insurgents and recovery of
territories once controlled by terrorists.
Tonjo-West, President of Niger Delta Non-Violent Youths Leaders
Assembly gave the commendation in an interview session in Yenagoa.
The youth leader attributed the existing peace in the
region to the deployment of competent personnel to the region by the military
high command.
“Credit must go to the military helmsmen for their
strategic approach which has curbed the renewed militancy that adversely
affected oil production and the economy of the nation.
“The Joint Task Force was restructured and under the
Command of Rear Admiral Sulemen Apochi, the region has returned to peace due to
the effectiveness and efficiency of the military.
“As Non-Violent youths, we are pleased because the era of
attacks on oil facilities created fear among residents and scared away
investors which the region need badly to make economic progress,” Tonjo-West
said.
He called on Niger Delta youths to shun violence and
close ranks with the Non-Violent Youth Leaders Assembly to leverage on the
existing peace and work with the federal government in resolving the Niger
Delta question.
Tonjo-West who is also Senior Special Assistant to
Bayelsa Governor on Niger Delta Youth Matters commended federal government’s
initiative to establish modular refineries to drive development of the region.
He observed that implementation of the policy on modular
refineries will check oil theft and create jobs for residents in the region and
give them a sense of belonging in the oil and gas industry.
Reacting to the recent approval of 56 modular refinery
licences by the Department of Petroleum Resources, the youth leader observed
that the process excluded the Niger Delta region.
According to him, stakeholders in the region were not
consulted whilst licensing rounds went on and said that the region hopes on the
pronouncements by Vice President Osinbajo’s pledge to integrate the region
using the modular refineries..
He however advised the federal government to consider
mini modular refineries for the operators of artisanal refineries who may not
afford the capital required the set up and run modular refineries.
Tonjo-West further advocated for a capacity building and
empowerment scheme for operators of artisanal refineries using the model of the
amnesty scheme for ex-militants.
According to him granting pardon to the operators of
artisanal refineries would enhance the
existing peace in the region and pave way for investors that fled the region to
return.
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