The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has condemned the exclusion of the Niger Delta region in the siting of the newly launched five mini- Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plants by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and the federal government.
PANDEF in a press release signed by its spokesperson, Olorogun Obiuwevbi Ominimini, frowned at the decision of the federal government and NNPCL, declaring it as unacceptable that the region would be excluded despite being the primary producer of Nigeria’s gas resources.
He expressed regrets that the Niger Delta has once again been sidelined in a critical economic development initiative which ordinarily would have deserved commendation.
“The decision to site all five mini -LNG plants in Ajaokuta, Kogi State, while denying the Niger Delta region its rightful share of such infrastructure, is a clear act of marginalization and economic injustice.
“This move by NNPCL not only undermines the rights of host communities in the Niger Delta, but also contradicts the federal government’s repeated commitments to equity, fairness, and resource control for producing communities as well espoused under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
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“It is on record that apart from the legacy Bonny LNG plant in Rivers State, there is no other government involved LNG plant sited in the Niger Delta region.
“Meanwhile, several gas projects in the region that were supposed to drive economic growth and create employment have been abandoned”, the press release stated.
While condemning the the federal government and NNPCL decision, the forum noted with dismay the deliberate abandonment of several gas projects in the region including the Ogidigbe Gas Project in Delta State, Brass LNG in Bayelsa State, and Olokola LNG in Ondo State.
“These projects if equally sited in the Niger Delta region as well deserved would have even more significantly boosted Nigeria’s gas industry and equally provided economic opportunities for the people of the Niger Delta.
“Their abandonment while new projects are being prioritized in other regions is a clear case of economic injustice, especially against our employable youthful population.
“PANDEF has repeatedly raised concerns over the exclusion of qualified Niger Delta persons from the leadership of NNPCL.
“This latest act of marginalization is a direct consequence of that exclusion. If we had strong representation in NNPCL, this level of injustice and systemic denial of our economic rights would not occur.
“It is clear that policies affecting the Niger Delta are being made without due consideration for the interests of the region and its people.
“We demand an immediate review of this decision and call on the federal government and NNPCL to take steps to ensure that mini- LNG plants are also sited in the Niger Delta region.
“While restating our commitment to peaceful engagement, PANDEF as the voice of the Niger Delta, will like to emphasise that the people of the Niger Delta will resist through all constitutional means, any attempt to further impoverish our people while others reap the benefits of our God given resources.
“We urge President Bola Tinubu in the pursuit of his Renewed Hope Agenda to take urgent corrective measures to build on the peace which Niger Delta elders and leaders have built in the region,” the body said.
