By Patrick Ahanor
Benin City
Protesting youths in Edo state yesterday paralysed activities at the Benin Airport over the delay in the appointment of the state representative at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) by President Goodluck Jonathan.
The youth numbering over 3,000 denied passengers and other users entrance into the airport premises for about three hours even as they issued the president one week ultimatum to appoint NDDC commissioner in the state or face attack on oil installations in the state.
Besides, the protest caused traffic gridlock at the very busy airport road. One of the protesting youth, Comrade Iyamu Osaro, told journalists that the revolt followed the expiration of the 21-day ultimatum issued to the President to appoint representative of the state in NDDC
He said: “Mr. President has allowed politics to becloud his sense of reasoning. He has remained a confused man on the issue of NDDC Commissioner in Edo state. We are urging him to disregard those issues militating against the appointment of NDDC Commissioner in Edo state.
“We are protesting because the situation is affecting youth development in Edo state. As we speak, the NDDC has resolved to empower youths in all the nine Niger Delta states. And with the non- appointment of Edo state NDDC Commissioner, Edo youths might not benefit from that. Apart from that, projects have been put on hold due to the non- appointment of a commissioner.”