An ex-agitator and beneficiary of Presidential Amnesty Programme PAP, Comrade Obubo Opukeme , aka Galadima, has dismissed call by Ijaw Youth Council IYC for the replacement of Minister of Petroleum Resources (Oil), Mr. Heneiken Lokpobiri.
The IYC had called for the replacement of Lokpobiri for his inability to get the Refineries working and amongst other issues in the oil sector.
However, Opukeme in a statement on Saturday, advised Lokpobiri not to take the issues raised by IYC for granted.
He said the points put put forward by IYC were important considering the level of unemployment and lack of livelihood affecting aggrieved youths.
” The youths are demanding an urgent attention to ameliorate their suffering and untold hardship for peace to reign in Niger Delta region. As a matter of urgency the Minister should open his doors for them to chart away forward”
Speaking to journalists in Yenagoa, Opukeme posited that the IYC members were pushed to publish that publication due to the hunger and untold hardship that pervade the region, as all efforts to seek attention from the Minister has been elusive and fruitless.
” As stakeholders they deserve attention, but the Minister has refused to carry them along, as a hungry man is an aggry man”
He also made case for the leadership of the ex- agitators of the Third Phase presidential Amnesty Program who has been making several efforts to seek audience with the Minister without success.
” We have passed the era of incessant protests and blocking of roads, thereby giving the region bad image, he should of necessity create time to meet to discuss like father and sons”
He said majority of them are graduates and professionals that the Minister can employ into the petroleum industry.
“There a lot of aggrieved youths, they are looking for assistance from highly placed political office holders like the Minister, Lokpobiri”
He also urged Lokpobiri to still regard those behind the said publication as his sons and forgive them for their action.
