Youth ask NDDC, oil firms to account for oil revenue

Yinka Oladoyinbo, Akure - 14.01.2008

A coalition of youth associations in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State on Sunday asked the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and oil companies operating in the area to account for the revenue that accrued to the state from oil proceeds.

The youth, under the aegis of Ilaje Niger Delta Resource Control Crusaders (INDRCC), also wanted the Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC) and the state government to account for the proceeds of oil fund that accrued to the state from the derivation account of the Federal Government.

Failure of the agents of both federal and state governments to account for the funds accruing to the state, the youth warned, would lead to a breakdown of law and order in the riverine communities of the state.

According to a statement signed by Oyetakin Ezekiel and Oladunni Olanrewaju, the oil producing communities were ready to champion the cause of their people and wrest the control of the of the resources from a few individuals who have cornered it for their selfish purposes.

“It is saddening that this local government which, by the grace of God, is the only oil producing local government in the Southwest region of Nigeria, has been subjected to the bastardisation of its natural resources, severe degradation of its environment and economic marginalisation of its people.

“In spite of the wealth derived from the bowel of Ilaje land, Ilaje people have had nothing but pain, misery, want and violation of its rights. It is not in doubt that Ilaje land and its people are victims of activities of the oil exploration.”