By Emma Amaize

WARRI—URHOBO Youth Leaders Association, UYLA, Delta State, yesterday, said that oil multinationals do not need any motion to relocate to the region, saying that they will adjust when the language they understand is spoken.

The group, in a statement by its National Secretary, Mr Vincent Oyibode, said: “There was no law asking them to relocate their head offices to Lagos and Abuja when they did.  It was a presidential order of former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon  that made them relocate from the region during the civil war.

“If they feel they cannot obey the order of the President made by the Vice President,  Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, during his visit to the region in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, it means they will leave Niger Delta oil alone. It is only those organisations that are ready to stay here with us that will be allowed to stay.

“The House of Representatives members are only wasting their time. When the time comes for the oil majors to return,  they will beg to do so. That is  when the language they understand better will be spoken.”

Oil pipeline

“Let me advice,  the Niger Delta people are almost running out of patience, most especially the youths whose hope are high on the promises made by the Vice President, the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, is yet to  take off, the pipeline surveillance jobs are pending, the modular refineries issue has no head way, the sea ports issue have not been attended to, negotiations team between Federal Government and PANDEFA is also pending till date.

“It shows that the Federal Government is not serious in addressing the problems of the region. As it stand now,  militants are regrouping. The last struggle before PANDEF intervened, oil production dropped to 1.4 bpd, which plunged the country into recession.

“One was thinking these issues will be adequately implemented without delay. The language the Federal Government understands will be on soon.

“On the members of House of Representatives from the South West, we are not surprised. The West has always betrayed the Niger Delta historically, we assure  them what will make the oil and gas multinational companies to relocate is very near.

“We are just waiting for the outcome of the inter-agency committee set up by the Federal Government which  PANDEF  also nominated six persons,  one each representing the coastal states of the region,” he said.