Ondo youth leader urges immediate action on bunkering, Ayetoro erosion

By Boye Oyeyemi

Youths in the Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State have called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and federal authorities to address critical environmental and security threats facing their riverine communities.

The demand was made by the newly inaugurated National President of the Third National Caretaker Committee of the Ilaje National Youth Council, Agbejoye Joshua, during his acceptance speech on Monday.

Highlighting the dangers of illegal petroleum operations, Joshua urged security agencies and regulatory bodies to clamp down on unauthorized oil bunkering that sabotages public safety and local economic growth.

Furthermore, he appealed for sustained federal and state intervention to halt the relentless sea incursion and coastal erosion devastating Ayetoro and adjacent coastal settlements.

Regarding infrastructure development, the youth leader advocated for urgent consultations with the Federal Ministry of Works to prevent the exclusion of Ilaje communities from the proposed Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway realignment.

Additionally, Joshua called for a thorough investigation, public disclosure of findings, and eventual environmental remediation following concerns over potential pollution caused by an aircraft crash in Igbokoda.

Turning to domestic affairs, he pledged that his administration would focus heavily on youth empowerment, job creation, technical skills acquisition, and maintaining peaceful coexistence across the region.

Ultimately, he reaffirmed the council’s commitment to collaborating with government agencies and private firms to secure employment opportunities and deliver tangible developmental improvements for Ilaje youths.