YENAGOA—THE Ijaw People’s Development Initiative, IPDI, and Foundation for Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Crusade, FHRACC, have described a yet to be verified plan of  the Federal Government to transfer the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG, from Brass, Bayelsa State,  as an evil agenda and prosecution of economic war against the people of Niger Delta.

In separate statements by the national presidents of IPDI and FHRACC, Austin Ozobo and Alaowei Cleric respectively, the groups said they received with consternation the news that the Federal Government had perfected plans to relocate NLNG.

FHRACC queried: “Does it mean that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration is implementing his avowed five per cent vote ratio for the region? This is the worst type of democratic attrition Niger Deltans are suffering from Buhari government.”

Democratic attrition

It said: “In a bid to pay back the Niger Delta people of the 5 per cent votes, Buhari hurriedly cancelled and or put on hold the Gas Revolution Industrial Park at Ogidigben and its affiliate Deep Sea Port in the Gbaramatu kingdom,  Escravos Environs Power Supply Projects, the already existing Nigerian Maritime University , Okerenkoko, all in Delta state.”

On its part, IPDI condemned the attempt to withdraw federal government 40 per cent in NLNG shares and purported plans to relocate it from Bayelsa state.

“The plan could derail any ongoing peace effort in the region. LNG is among the few companies that are in the state. The relocation will create unemployment and could provoke unnecessary tension by aggrieved youths,” it said.

IPDI asserted: “We want Buhari to live above board and stop witch hunting Bayelsans because of political reasons. Bayelsa is the most suitable place for siting LNG project and there is no point for it to be relocated.”