*Urged FG and NNPCL to immediately review their decision

•••The move contradict Federal Government’s equity, fairness, and resource control for producing communities

By Matthias Ogbagah

DELTA – The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) the omnibus sociopolitical body of the South-South region condemns the deliberate and totally inexplicable 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 (NNPC Ltd) and the federal government.

PANDEF in a press release signed by its National Spokesperson, Olorogun Dr. (Sir) Obiuwevbi Ominimini frown at the decision of the federal government and NNPCL, adding that it is unacceptable 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.

“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 NNPC Ltd 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 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 dismays the deliberate abandonment of several gas projects in the region includes; 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 NNPC Ltd. This latest act of marginalization 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.

“We demand an immediate review of this decision and call on the federal government and NNPC Ltd 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 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 Ahmed 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”.