The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has stated that the shutdown last week of telecommunications networks by its task force in Yenagoa was a warning to international oil companies ((IOCs) operating in Bayelsa State.
A statement by chairman of the central zone of IYC, Kenny Olorogun and spokesman, Korubo Kockmam, said the action followed the failure of the operators to fulfill their corporate social responsibilities to the host communities.
They maintained the major telecoms firms were failing the residents and indigenes by not meaningfully engaging the youths.The council had also accused the companies of awarding diesel contracts to non-indigenes only.
The chair stated:
“Nigerian telecommunications companies in other states like Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja, Delta and Rivers normally carry out programmes like talent hunt, inter-school debates, scholarships and promotions to develop gifted citizens and award prizes to students among others.
“But in Bayelsa, the reverse is the case. Here, the people are given only minor jobs like security, gatemen, cleaner and others when we have qualified indigenes.”
He continued:
“This is just a warning. Failure to comply will attract two weeks’ shutting down of their activities, this time with different days for each company.
“This is also a warning to the multinational oil companies operating in Bayelsa State to do the needful for our people.
“Ijaw are educated and qualified for any job others are doing. We are aware of social programmes being executed by telecommunication companies in other states.
“So, do the needful here in Bayelsa State or be ready to face us as a council for the interest of our people and the Ijaw nation.”
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