The proposed Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) Bill before the Delta State House of Assembly has come under attack by the Amalgamated Youth Organization of Delta State ,AYODES, which described the clause in the Bill as not only injurious to the youths, but would also make them unproductive.

In a release, its Chairman and Secretary, Comrades Felix Chukwuma and Comrade Bozimor Albert, respectively,  disclosed that Section 15, Sub section 1 of the proposed DESOPADEC Amendment Bill, which puts the cognate experience  of the managing director  at  not less than 15 years, has  eliminated youths in Delta  irrespective of their knowledge, experience and academic qualification from occupying the post in  DESOPADEC, adding that the section  negates the 1999  Constitution which recognizes the participation of youths in nation-building and reconstruction.

“The constitutional age  to become a House of Assembly or House of Representatives  member is 30 years, while that of the senator and governor  is  pegged at 35 years.

This proposed bill therefore runs counter  to the Constitution. Going by the Nigeria educational system of 6-3-3-4 and the mandatory National Youth Services Corps, there is no way a youth, even at 35 years, can ever become the managing director or chairman of DESOPADEC. But such youth can become a  governor who is saddled with the responsibility of managing the human, material and the financial resources of  a state. This is  unfair to the entire youths of Delta State,” the youths  said. The statement  added that the NDDC model the DESOPADEC Bill seeks to emulate does not have  anti-youth clause of 15 years post graduate experience.