GAS: UDUAGHAN URGES INVESTORS, COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP

Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has called on investors in the Niger Delta region to partner with the local people in order to achieve a peaceful and more secured environment.

Governor Uduaghan stated this in Abuja weekend, while making a presentation at the first ever Nigerian Gas Master Plan Investors Road Show (NGMP).

The governor whose presentation was titled “The Niger Delta Region: Development and Security Strategy,” argued that such partnership will make people have the sense of ownership and by implication, would be inclined to protect facilities.

Reflecting on the state of vandalism witnessed by oil and gas companies in the troubled region, Dr. Uduaghan averred that, “If the oil communities had even taken the sense at equity shares when Shell started its operations, we will not be witnessing such destruction now.”

He also advised companies doing business in the region to further transmit partnership with the people into giving them jobs and petty contracts, adding that the people feel angered when the companies go else where to bring unskilled and semi-skilled workers.

As a way of ensuring the safety of their personnel, Governor Uduaghan charged investors to forgo the house boat bug and instead locate property in their host communities. “If you build your quarters around the communities and let your workers stay with the people, there will be less chances of being kidnapped,” the Governor said.

On the Gas Master Plan of the Federal Government, Governor Uduaghan expressed the readiness of the Delta State Government to participate by ensuring that investors meet Federal Government requirements. He further stated that the state government would guarantee easy access to land acquisition and ensure full participation through host community engagement.

The Governor also announced that Delta State have developed its Gas Master Plan which is aligned to that of the Federal Government “and will act as a catalyst for the development and industrialization of the state and the entire Niger Delta region.”

Besides, the Delta State government Gas Master Plan will involve the establishment of small localized independent gas plants that will entail the construction of a 1,112 km transmission pipeline within the state.

On his part. President Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua, while declaring the investors’ road show open, said that gas, as a veritable source of energy was a prerequisite for the nation’s economic growth.

The president who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Babagana Kingibe, remarked that the event should provide an economic platform for the Niger Delta with wider opportunities for youth employment in the region.

The stakeholders’ forum of the Nigerian Gas Master Plan 2008, which was attended by chieftains of gas and allied companies was targeted at creating awareness and global interest in Nigeria Gas.

DELTA STATE GOVERNOR, DR. EMMANUEL UDUAGHAN (RIGHT) WITH SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FEDERATION, AMBASSADOR BABAGANA KINGIBE, DURING THE NIGERIAN GAS MASTERPLAN INVESTORS FORUM, HELD IN ABUJA, AT THE WEEKEND.

FROM RIGHT, DELTA STATE GOVERNOR, DR. EMMANUEL UDUAGHAN, SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FEDERATION, AMBASSADOR BABAGANA KINGIBE AND MINISTER OF STATE FOR ENERGY (GAS), ENGR. EMMANUEL ODUSINA, DURING THE NIGERIAN GAS MASTERPLAN INVESTORS FORUM, HELD IN ABUJA, AT THE WEEKEND.

DELTA STATE GOVERNOR, DR. EMMANUEL UDUAGHAN (LEFT) WITH FORMER MILITARY VICE PRESIDENT, ADMIRTAL AUGUSTUS AIKHOMU, DURING THE NIGERIAN GAS MASTERPLAN INVESTORS FORUM, HELD IN ABUJA, AT THE WEEKEND.