By Zik Gbemre
Why is the $2.8Billion project to transport gas from Utorogu Gas Plant phase 1 (Utorogu NAG 1) in Delta state through pipeline to Ajaokuta, down to Kaduna-Kano (AKK) scheduled for November 2025 completion always making news headlines without any mention of the source from where the gas is being piped?
The project reported at 85% completion is built to deliver 2.2 billion stardand cubic feet of gas per day. The gas project covers 614km route. The AKK project when completed will power industries, improve electricity generation and boast economic growth accross Northern cities including Abuja, Kaduna and Kano as announced by NNPCL recently.
NNPCL statement reads that, “major construction works such as welding, equipment installation and system testing are nearing completion”.
My grudge on this AKK project is on Federal Government badly treating the major gas producing host communities of Utorogu Gas Plant Phase 1(Utorogu NAG 1), namely Iwhrekan, Otor-Udu and Otughievwen in Ughelli South LG and Udu LG.
What stops the Federal government of APC led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from building a 50- megawatts Turbine Plant to compensate Iwhrekan, Otor-Udu and Otughievwen that host Utorogu Gas Plant Plant Phase 1(Utorogu NAG 1) in Ughelli South and Udu LGs?
As we speak these communities are always experiencing blackout. A project for gas power generator of 500kva for the communities has been abandoned for the past 5 years by NEPL operating in there as GMoU project.
Utorogu Gas Plant phase 1(Utorogu NAG 1)is also supplying natural gas to Egbin Power Stations in Lagos, Ogun state and West Africa countries such as Ghana, Togo, Republic of Benin, etc. Utorogu also supplies gas to most power stations in Nigeria.
So what prevents President Tinubu from urgently awarding a 50 megawatts turbine power plant for Iwhrekan, Otor-Udu and Otughievwen of Ughelli South and Udu LGAs?
How will some one live by the riverside and still washes hands with spittle. Too much oppression in Nigeria by the majority tribes of Fulani/Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo against the minority in the South-South region?
Iwhrekan, Otor-Udu and Otughievwen need a 50 megawatts turbine plant. It is their lawful right to enjoy what is used in their land to develop the entire country. It is unfair that these three communities of Iwhrekan, Otor-Udu and Otughievwen are being deliberately neglected by the federal government of Nigeria?
It is unjust for the federal government to use our natural gas to generate power and revenues and neglect Iwhrekan, Otor-Udu and Otughievwen communities of Ughelli South and Udu LGs.
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