A group, Niger Delta Youth Congress (NDYC) has faulted the timing and composition of the ongoing National Conference in Abuja, saying it would not serve the general interest of the country.
The group, which draws its membership from the six states of the Niger Delta region, agreed that the various ethnic nationalities need to dialogue.
It however noted that the conduct of the delegates so far would not produce any meaningful outcome that could contribute to national development.
In a statement issued on Monday by its National Coordinator, Israel Uwejeyan in Yenagoa, the group enjoined those holding political offices to provide good governance that will lead to job creation for the army of unemployed youths, better infrastructure as well as security of lives and poverty.
“Why should President Jonathan, who claims that he means well for Nigeria and Nigerians proposed that the outcome of the National Conference should not be subjected to a referendum”? The NDYC queried.
It probes further, “Is it not a shame to see delegates at the confab make utterances that are demeaning of their status as elder statesmen and women?
“Nigerians have indeed watched with keen interest to understand the substance of the National Conference and its impact in changing the economic woes, hunger pervading the land, unemployment, insecurity, endemic corruption, extra judicial killings, epileptic power supply and other myriads of problems that confronts us daily.
“The Conference is meant to serve some political interests as well as ample opportunity to continue with the impunity of alleged reckless stealing from the nations’ treasury.”
“A country where the so called elder statesmen decide to make utterances that demean and make nonsense of the much talked about National Conference; therefore the future of Nigerian
youths is indeed hanging in the balance.
“It is obvious that our future as young people of this great country cannot be anchored on the shoulders of these individuals believed to be addressing issues that affect us, it is already an effort in futility,” he submitted.