Stop $2.5 Billion Gas Pipeline Project To AKK Or We Shutdown NGC Operations In Delta, Itsekiri Communities Tell FG

The Itsekiri Host Communities to NNPC have called on the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to immediately stop the $2.5 Billion Gas Pipeline project to Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano.

The communities made the call at a press conference held at Ubeji Community town hall in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.

In a communique signed by the Ubeji Community Trust Chairman, Engr. Erewa Clement, Prince Adolphus Tosanwumi, Ijala-Ikenren Community Trust Chairman, Engr. Billy Ekele, Aja-Etab Community Trust Chairman, Mr. Clifton Edema, Ifie-Kporo Community Trust Chairman and Ofoyeju Izuagia, Chairman, Itsekiri National Youth Council, INYC, the communities said they were not considered in the recent recruitment process of about 1050 person by the NNPC having hosted the Nigerian Gas Company, NGC, PPMC, Warri Refinery and NPDC for more than 42 years in their land.”

According to the communities, “We note with serious concerns what is now an open secret, that the president Buhari’s administration through the NNPC and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources is actively pursuing policies to kill the Warri Refinery (Ditto PHRC&KRPC) to prepare grounds for the Dangote Refinery to become the only operational refinery i n Nigeria.

“if this decision is not revised, we will mobilize fully to shutdown the operations of the Nigeria Gas Company.

“For over the years that Nigeria Gas has been in operation in our land, we cannot testify of 24 hours light, no good roads in our communities, we have not benefitted any good project from its operations. Yet, Mr. President and NNPC are busy laying pipelines to move our gas from here to the North.

“Enough of the maltreatment, marginalization and hatred of our people by NNPC. History is repeating itself again. Same was Mr. President’s actions some years back when he built a refinery in Kaduna till date after commissioning the refinery has not refined any product for over 30 years of operation.

“It beats my imagination to think that Mr. President who said in 2015 that when voted for, he will ensure that the Warri Refinery becomes fully functional, is today playing the ostrich because the reverse is now the case.

“President Buhari is now interested in building gas plant and refineries in the Northern part of the Country while we the producers of the oil in the South continue to suffer and wallow in agony. We say enough is enough.”