Ogoni youths in Rivers State are raising concerns about job opportunities during the ongoing environmental cleanup supervised by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP). They claim that HYPREP and its contractors are not meeting the 60 percent local job opportunities requirement as specified in the Local Content Act.
According to LEADERSHIP, Legborsi Yamaabana, President-general of Ogoni Youth Federation (OYF), emphasized on a radio program in Port Harcourt that it’s essential for Ogoni youths to benefit from the funds intended for the development of their land. He stressed that the money in question is not government funds but was paid by Shell and its joint venture into the Ogoni Trust Fund account, making it Ogoni money.
Yamaabana stated, “Our people must benefit from what is going on in their land. We are not saying outsiders should not come to work in Ogoni, but give us a fair share in line with the Local Content Act. The fair share is 60 percent to the locals and 40 percent to foreigners.”
Additionally, the Wiyaakara Youth Association (WYA) expressed similar concerns about the lack of full engagement of Wiyaakara community and Ogoni youths in three major projects in the area. These projects include the Ogoni Centre of Excellence, Ogoni Power Project, and a 100-bed Specialist Hospital. WYA alleges that youths are facing low wages and a disregard for local content in these projects.
