By Ejiro Shalokpe
The Ilaje Youth Congress (IYC) has expressed displeasure over the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Board nominations where Hon Gbenga Edema, an indigene of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State – well known for its oil and gas potentials was nominated just as a Representative in the board of NDDC; while Mr Charles Ogunmola from Owo Local Government Area of the state, a local government council without oil potential was nominated to the exalted position of Executive Director, Projects.
The IYC stated that by virtue of their oil and gas bearing status, the Executive Director, Projects should be exclusive reserve for indigenes of the oil producing area – precisely Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
A statement by the Ilaje Youth Congress on the ‘lopsided’ nominations read:
“The good people of Ilaje Local Government Area has been taken for granted for too long and it is time to put a stop to it. The Ilaje people had always been neglected and unjustly treated when it comes to NDDC appointments as the spirit of rotation as captured in the act has always been consistently ignored.
“The Ilaje Youth congress lead by comrade Aiyenuro Gbenga Shadrack is saying no to this myopic act of neglect and unjust molestation of the oil mandate area of the state.
“The office of the Executive Director Project of the NDDC must be occupied by indigenes from the mandate area, precisely Ilaje Local Government Area.
“Due to this neglect and rejection of our people, most communities are being faced with sea encroachment, yet the governments are doing nothing about it.
“We have not been feeling the impact of NDDC in Ilaje Local Government Area due to lot of abandoned projects from the commission. Our people are suffering and dying, yet the governments still robbed us of juicy position in the commission.
“IYC is saying No to;
Neglection of Ilajes,
Injustice,
Magnalization of our people”.