Ijaw Youths shutdown Airtel facility in Yenagoa, request for reversal of diesel contract

Ijaw Youths under the aegis of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) have shut down Airtel (a telecommunications company) distribution Mast in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State Capital on Sunday in protest over the award of the Diesel supply contract to a Non-Indigenous contractor.

Speaking at the site of the Distribution Mast in Biogbolo, Ambassador Douyi Tonworimi Duere, Special Assistant on Oil and Gas/Employment Generation to the President of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Worldwide said the protest was to demand for the reinstatement of an indigenous contractor, Dennison Systems Solution Limited as the contractor for the diesel supply to Airtel Nigeria in Bayelsa State.

Douyi explained that as a group, the IYC will not turn a blind eye by watching an indigenous  company being short-changed and replaced in a contract of this sort with a non-indegenous one in Bayelsa State.

He stated further that the IYC is in support of local content and that is why as a group, it has resolved to advocate for the privilege of their fellow ijaw by way of the contract to be restored.

While Comr. Douyi  described the appointment of a Non-Indegenous contractor as inappropriate, he urged Airtel in collaboration with ATC Nigeria to ensure the  reinstatement of the contract of Dennison System Solution Limited (A Bayelsa Indigenous  Contractor).

The IYC President's Special Assistant on employment generation/oil and Gas affirmed that the IYC is law abiding and peaceful group adding that in solidarity with the Biogbolo Epie Youths, it will ensure a peaceful protest void of looting.

Comrade Ben Karibo Wunukizibe,Youth President, Biogbolo Community in alliance with the IYC said,the  Youths of the Community are  against the appointment of a Non- Indigenous company for the contract of Diesel supply in the facilities of Airtel in the State.

He also urged Airtel to reinstate the contract of Denison System Solution Limited or its facilities will be shut down indefinitely.