President Bola Tinubu and the National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) must reconsider their decision to establish five mini LNG plants in Kogi State.
Dr. Obiuwevbi Ominimini, National Chairman of the Urhobo Oil and Gas Nationality, firmly stated that transporting gas from Urhobo land to these new facilities, without any representation of Urhobo interests, is fundamentally unjust. He emphasized, “This situation is unacceptable for the Urhobo Nation, which boasts the largest gas and crude oil reserves in Nigeria yet sees negligible benefits.”
He underscored the struggles of Urhobo youth, many of whom remain unemployed after graduation or are forced into motorcycle transport for income, while individuals from wealthier regions secure lucrative positions in government-owned oil and gas companies. He stated, “Environmental degradation from oil extraction has crippled our ability to farm or fish. Our land suffers more than Ogoni land, and we have not seen any cleanup or remediation.”
Ominimini pointed out that penalties for gas flaring imposed on International Oil Companies fail to benefit the Urhobo community, as gas flaring continues to jeopardize public health. He called on President Tinubu, the NUPRC, and NNPCL leaders to reassess the proposed LNG plant locations, insisting that at least one facility be established in Urhobo territory, given its proximity to raw materials and accessible coastal ports in Sapele and Warri for LNG export.
He declared that the Urhobo Nation will legally and spiritually contest their exclusion from these new plants, making it clear that they have been overlooked for far too long while others exploit Nigeria’s natural resources. “This injustice ends now. Enough is enough,” he asserted.
The NNPCL has begun construction on five mini LNG plants in Ajaokuta, Kogi State, promoting this initiative as a vital part of Nigeria’s gas revolution to enhance domestic gas utilization, improve energy access, stimulate industrial growth, and create jobs. Ominimini recalled that the Urhobo Oil and Gas Nationality had previously called for LNG plants in Urhobo territory but received no response. He expressed disbelief at the construction in Kogi, pointing out that gas will be sourced from Urhobo and Edo States, which he firmly rejects. “Enough is enough,” he reiterated.
Calls Mount for Tinubu and NNPCL to Halt Kogi Mini LNG Plants Project.
