Elders and Traditional heads from Bayelsa East Senatorial District have proffered solution to the restiveness of youths in the region, saying the completion and commencement of operations at Brass Liquefied Natural Gas (Brass LNG) project, holds the ace.

In a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari on the rising incidences of sea piracy, oil and gas pipeline attacks and violent crimes by the new militant groups, they said the Brass LNG project is capable of engaging the youths by way of employment,

The letter was written few hours after the new militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers, claimed responsibility for the attack on another oil pipeline within the senatorial district.

The letter, which was made available to newsmen in Yenagoa yesterday, argued that the permanent solution to incessant sea piracy, kidnapping and emergence of new militancy group was the take off of the Brass LNG Project that had been delayed for too long

The elders from Brass and Nembe, said the delay in the take off of the Brass LNG project has left many youths jobless and restive, hence their vulnerability to crime and violence.

The statement signed by Chief Newton Ayibatare, on behalf of the concerned Elders NOTED that Brass LNG could employ over 16,000 restive youths, besides improving revenue of the local councils, state and Federal Government.

“We have watched with keen interest the recent development in the oil and gas sector and the renewed violence along the creeks, including militancy‎ in the region. We condemn the series of attack on pipelines and the people of the state by sea pirates and militants. We commend the state and Federal Government for actions taken so far. While we agree that there should be dialogue, the need to engage the youths with gainful employment is critical.”

“In Bayelsa State, the need to speed up the take off of the Brass LNG is critical in the support of any form of dialogue between new militants and the Federal Government. The Federal Government should prevail on Brass LNG promoters to commence work and absorb over 16,000 youths. The people of the area have called on the members of the renegade militant groups to embrace dialogue and for the youths of Bayelsa to desist from sea piracy and kidnapping. The practical solution to restiveness in Bayelsa and other Niger Delta states is economic empowerment and engagement,” the statement read.