Bayelsa Youths Charged to Have the Right Thinking to Produce Positive Actions

Report by Grace Freeman – Youths of Oil and Gas host communities in Bayelsa state have been charged to focus on building themselves to have the right thinking in order to produce positive actions.

Commissioner for Mineral Resources, Dr Ebierein Jones gave the charge during the second Youths Sensitization Summit for Oil and Gas Host Communities held in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

Dr Jones noted that the essence of the summit was to re-orientate the youths on the need to protect the environment as well as oil and gas facilities to ensure more production in the communities.

He urged the youths in the oil and gas host communities not to be restive and destructive but explore the opportunities in the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA for the benefit of the communities.

Also speaking, Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr Baraladei Igali who recalled his achievements in sports, called on the youths to make good use of opportunities to build their capacity.

Mr Igali encouraged the youths to practice the things learnt during the summit and form good associations that would drive the needed change.

While delivering a lecture on the theme: Relevance of the Oil and Gas Sector in Sustainable Community Development during the Post-PIA Era: The Role of Youths in Host Communities, Professor John Ihedinihu pointed out that the youths should maintain peace in their communities and partner with the oil companies for sustainable development to meet the needs of future generations.

Professor Ihedinihu equally urged the youths to support the oil companies in the speedy implementation of projects that would be beneficial

Professor Essien Akpanuko who delivered a lecture on the topic: Opportunities for Youths Capacity Development in the PIA 2021: Where are we appealed to the youths to build their capacity through relevant employable skills in the oil and gas sector.

On her part, Mrs Cynthia Oye-Isang who delivered the last lecture for the day charged the youths to constantly work on their mindset and develop strategies through entrepreneurship to achieve their set goals in life.

Earlier, In his opening remarks, Chairman of the occasion and Member representing Ogbia constituency 2, Mr Monday Bubo-Obolo noted that the summit would educate the youths on the PIA and how the oil companies can work together in peace with the oil and gas host communities.

The second annual youth summit was attended by representatives of youths in the Oil and Gas host communities.