The Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Worldwide has said that it was wrong to give a meager 13 percent to oil-producing states in the region.

Against this background, the council called for true federalism to address the anomalies and mistreatment of the people of the Niger Delta region.

The President of the Council, Theophilous Alaye, stated this during the 26th anniversary of the Kaiama Declaration while addressing the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, at Government House, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He expressed disappointment and dissatisfaction with the federal government for failing to meet the needs and aspirations of the people of the Niger Delta.

Alaye, in a statement issued Thursday, decried that the oil and gas exploration activities taking place in the Niger Delta have been sustaining the country, yet little is given to the people of the region.

He noted, “It is wrong for the people of the Niger Delta, who lay the golden egg, to be given little from their God-given resources through the 13 percent derivation formula. We call for true federalism in order to address the anomalies and mistreatment of the people of the Niger Delta region.”

The IYC president, therefore, appealed to Fubara to convey the message of Ijaw youths to President Bola Tinubu, saying Ijaw people have contributed immensely to the growth, development, and survival of Nigeria.

Alaye added, “As a people, we understand that our resources have been a contributing factor to the well-being of Nigeria, and as a result of oil exploration in the Niger Delta, our environment has been adversely contaminated and polluted. Therefore, we need complete remediation.”

Responding, Fubara noted that the Kaiama Declaration and the Isaac Boro Day celebration are national days for the Ijaw nationality, emphasizing that the anniversary marks a significant day in history.

He appealed to the Ijaw youths to remain peaceful and law-abiding, saying no meaningful development could be achieved in an atmosphere of crisis and violence.

13 per cent derivation formula for oil-producing states too meager – IYC