Pay our social security fund, Isoko youths appeal to Okowa

…Threaten to shut down oil production facilities, ban political activities in Isoko land if…

The youth wing of the social-cultural apex body of Isoko Nation, Isoko Development Union (IDU) at the weekend again, appealed to Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State, to break his silence and grant the request for the youths social security fund from Delta State Oil Producing Development Commission (DESOPADEC).

A communiqué issued at the end of the group general assembly and signed by the president comrade Ede Hyacinth Ewariezi and the secretary comrade Unuafe Sunday Edewor, held at the national secretariat of Isoko Development Union, Oleh in Isoko South local government area, stated that the long silence by governor Okowa over the issues surrounding Isoko youth social security fund, has created discord and disunity in Isoko Nation.

Ede Hyacinth reiterated the need for Isoko nation to live in peace and unity in line with the peace agenda of the state governor, adding that the management of Delta State Oil Producing Development Commission through its determination for equity and fairness must respect Isoko Development Union without delay.

The youth demanded the payment of the social security funds accruing from January to August 2021, which according to them amounts to eighty million Naira, (N80,000,000), and appealed to Governor Okowa to prevail on the management of DESOPADEC for the payment.

The communiqué warned that if the issues surrounding the nonpayment of the social security funds are not settled immediately, the youths of Isoko ethnic nationality will commence a total lockdown of oil facilities in Isoko nation, adding that no political rally or campaign will be allowed to hold, starting from the forthcoming bye-election of Isoko South constituency 1.

In a similar development, the IDU youth wing staged a peaceful protest at the secretariat of the union to express their grievances over the delayed response by governor Okowa to grant an audience on the issues affecting the payment of the social security funds.

The youths vowed to disrupt any political campaign in the area if a response to the issues is further delayed, adding that several letters have been written but no positive results achieved, just as the efforts of the president general of Isoko nation, Professor Chris Akpotu has been subverted and treated sheepishly.