NewsNigeriaOil & GasPoliticsPANDEF Condemns Exclusion Of Niger Delta In New Mini LNG Plants

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…Seeks Immediate Review Of Plan

The sociopolitical body of the South-South region, 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.

According to a press statement on Saturday signed by the organisation’s National Spokesperson, Olorogun Dr. Obiuwevbi Ominimini, stated that despite being the primary producer of Nigeria’s gas resources, the Niger Delta has once again been sidelined in a critical economic development initiative which ordinarily would have deserved commendation.

PANDEF, while demanding an immediate review of the decision called on the Federal Government and NNPCL to take steps to ensure that Mini LNG plants are also located in the Niger Delta region.

The statement reads, “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 marginalisation 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).

“It’s 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. These include:The Ogedegbe 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 prioritised in other regions is a clear case of economic injustice,  especially against our employable youthful population.

According to the statement, PANDEF has repeatedly raised concerns over the exclusion of qualified Niger Delta persons from the leadership of NNPCL. This latest act of marginalisation is a direct consequence of that exclusion.

“If we had strong representation in NNPC Ltd, 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.

“While we restate  our commitment to peaceful engagement, PANDEF, as the voice of the Niger Delta, will like to emphasise that the people of the people of the Niger Delta 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.”

Uzoamaka Ikezue (Staff Reporter)

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