Urhobo youth under the aegis of Urhobo Youth Leaders Association, UYLA have urged the federal government to pay the sum of N500B as compensation to over 1000 families of Jesse fire disaster victims of 1998.
UYLA has backed the disbandment of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Interim Management Committee IMC set up by President Muhammadu Buhari in support of the South/South governors.
In a world press conference held at Udu in Delta state, the group Acting Nation President, Olorogun Vincent Oyibode, Chief Tony Ofoni,and Chief Samuel Oghotomo applauded the people of Ijaw and Itsekiri struggle against the sale of the 57 marginal oil fields to foreigners.
According to the UYLA, “We the Urhobo Youth Leaders Association join hand with our brothers from the Ijaw and Itsekiri compatriots to prevail on the federal government to complete the Omadino-Escravos Federal high way, the Koko-Ogheye road and adequate funding of the Maritime University in Okerenkoko.
“The completion of $20B Gas Revolution Industrial Park, and Deep Sea Port at Ogidigben and Okerenkoko respectively.
“And suspend the plan to divert our gas to Ajaokuta, Abuja, Kaduna, Kano and Niger Republic until all host communities are gurantee regular electricity supply by stepping down electricity from gas-turbine power station in Delta state at Ekakpamre, Sapele and Amai.
It further stated that inspite of the enormous contribution of Urhobo nation to Nigeria’s development, the people wallow in abject poverty, improvished by unemployment, killed by diseases and insecurity.
“Urhobo cities and towns are neglected, dirty, clustered with slum and polluted with injustice by the federal government and if attention is not given to address the issues and demand within the ultimatum given, Urhobo Oil and Gas Host communities will shut down oil and gas facilities in their areas.
“The Urhobo land is rich in oil and gas with over 400 wells in 14 fields, the Ughelli Quality Control Center, Eruemukowharien is the largest crude deport in our region, the Kokori-Orogun Oil field at Erhoike produces the highest grade oil in the world but the Urhobo land has nothing to show for it. Rather our oil is been transported to Europe.
“The situation of Utorogu plant that supplies the $2.8 Billion Ajaokuta-Abuja-Kaduna-Kano-Niger exposes the injust policies of the federal government on Urhobo nation.”
