The youth wing of the South-South Assembly (SSA), has called on the representatives of the Niger Delta region at the ongoing National Conference, to insist on 50 percent derivation.
The youths argued that the 50 percent derivation was pertinent in order to fast-track infrastructural development in the oil-rich region. According to them, the region, which produces mineral resources, which is presently, the mainstay of the nation’s economy, is facing untold underdevelopment and marginalization.
Also, the National President of the body, Comrade Oke Oyibo, who spoke in Delta state, lamented that the region was wallowing in abject poverty.
He said until the injustice was addressed, there would not be any genuine peace in the country The South-South Assembly, which bestowed an Award of Excellence, on a cleric, Bishop Felix Onomeregbor of Shamah Gospel Mission incorporated, also pleaded with the lslamist sect, Boko Haram, to release the abducted Chibok girls and allow peace to reign in the country.
“Most pathetic is that; the innocent school girls have been in Boko Haram custody for more than three Months now. We appeal to the insurgents to release them, because the girls are innocent of what is presently happening in the country,” the youth group said.
The group, however, called on President Goodluck Jonathan to focus on the development of the Niger Delta region, describing as unfortunate, a situation where the region, which produces the wealth of the nation, is under serious threat due to poverty, We have resolved to support the president in 2015.
“As a Nigerian, he has the right to contest for a second time, in order to complete what the projects he has started.###
