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Completing Brass LNG could end insurgency, say Bayelsa elders

By Julius Osahon, Yenagoa
12 June 2016   |   5:51 am
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...
Image: NLNG

PHOTO: NLNG

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.

3 Comments

  • Author’s gravatar

    I am shocked that some indolent people could ask present government to sign Final investment decision on Brass LNG.Their son Jonathan was in government for 6years and refused to sign the FID just because it was sited at Brass and not Otueke.It would be a shame on Jonathan if Buhari should sign it.If you cannot convince Jonathan that it would stop restiveness in the region and will create employment .I see them as hypocrites.

    • Author’s gravatar

      A completely stupid comment. We are trying to solve this problem now and not later. Who cares about Jonathan?? He’s no longer in power. At least the elders are trying to proffer solutions instead of keeping quite.

  • Author’s gravatar

    I am happy you agreed that Jonathan did nothing.Next time address the message and not the messenger.If you believe you have to relaunch the process of signing the FID.Should bombing pipelines ,oil wells , release of Kanu and Dasuki be the easiest route to follow.You guys should wake up and channel energy in galvanizing developmental ideologies and come with a common front to the present government.Let me tell you Buhari is for real.Any project embarked by this government would be accomplish which is a divergent from the past government.