Mkpoikana Udoma 22 June 2017, Sweetcrude, Port Harcourt – Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has stated that his administration will join forces with other governors of the South-South geo-political zone to stop the amendment of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG Act which is pending before the National Assembly.
The governor also stated that agitations in the South-South have remained because the federal government ignores the geo-political zone even though the zone produces the wealth that sustains the nation.
Speaking at the Government House, Port Harcourt, during a courtesy visit by the management of Nigeria LNG Limited, NLNG, Governor Wike said the state government will mobilise the state’s representatives at the National Assembly to ensure that the NLNG remains in good stead to continue with its operations.
He urged the Federal Government not to allow the amendment of the NLNG Act to sail through at the National Assembly because of the negative multiplier effects it would have on the economy, explaining that his administration would always defend the economy of Rivers State.
The governor also commended the management of the NLNG for offering to partner with the Federal Government to construct the Bodo -Bonny Bridge.
“I thank you (NLNG) for the Bodo-Bonny bridge. I hope it is not political. I have always advocated for this important bridge. I thank the NLNG for telling the Federal Government that they are willing to put down money for the construction of the bridge.
“A big company like NLNG Limited generates funds for the country, yet the Bodo-Bonny bridge that will create access to Bonny has not been constructed,” he governor said.
He pointed out that the people of the South-South geo-political zone always agitate for better investment of their resources in their respective communities because of the neglect they continue to suffer.
The governor regretted that the focus of the Federal Government is on the major ethnic groups, saying that because the Hausas and Igbos are involved in conflict, a national meeting has been called.
“When it is South-South, Nigeria never called a meeting. But because Arewa has given a quit notice to Igbos and Igbos have replied, now we are to sit down and talk. But when the problem was here, nobody said sit down and let’s talk about these people’s problems.
“Those who are causing this crisis are those who refuse to listen to the yearnings and cries of the people,” Governor Wike said.
The governor also called on the NLNG to act on the agreement it entered with the Rivers State Government for the rehabilitation of schools in the state with the sum of N4billion.
Earlier, the Managing Director of NLNG, Mr Tony Attah, appealed to the Rivers State government to work with other stakeholders to ensure that the NLNG Bill is not amended as it will negatively affect the operations of the company on the international stage.
Attah said that the NLNG is operating 6 trains which produces more than 20 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas, which makes it the fourth largest in the global ranking of LNG producers. He added that NLNG was building trains 7 and 8, which will take the capacity of the NLNG to 30 million tonnes and make it third in the world.
According to him, “I must say that the train 7 and 8 which will be in Rivers State have the potential to bring more than 18, 000 jobs into the state with up to $20 billion investments once we take the final decision.”
The NLNG boss also said the amendment of the NLNG Act will lead to loss of international confidence, which have negative implications for the nation and the on the economy.
“It will be most unfortunate. We believe that if this bill is amended, it will not be good for NLNG, it will not be good for Rivers State and it will not be good for the oil and gas industry,” Attah said.