N’Delta Youths Threaten NLNG over Plan To Build Shipyard Outside Rivers

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General Manager, External Relations, NLNG, Dr Kudo Eresia-Eke (middle); Chairman, Literature Advisory Board, Emeritus Professor Ayo Banjo (right); and Chairman, panel of judges for 2015 Edition of The Nigeria Prize for Literature.

NIGER Delta youths have threatened to stage a massive protest and possibly shut down facilities of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Company (NLNG), if the company fails to reverse its decision to build dry-dock shipyard outside its operational base in Rivers State. Over 30 youth leaders handed in the threat yesterday in Port Harcourt while briefing journalists on the developments.

Some of the youth organizations include, the National Youths Council of Nigeria, Rivers State chapter, Ijaw Youths Council, Bonny Youths Federation, Niger Delta People Volunteer and Salvation Front, Rivers Ethnic Youth Leaders Coalition among others. Speaking under the aegis of Niger Delta Youth Organizations, the spokesman of the group, Simeon Wilcox said, “the youths would shutdown NLNG facilities if all peaceful modalities failed to convince the company to reverse the decision to build its shipyard outside the region.”

Wilcox disclosed that the youths were particularly grieved on the fact that NLNG decided against all odds to construct a dry-dock shipyard worth $1.5 billion dollars in an area outside its operational base in Niger Delta. “The NLNG did a kangaroo feasibility study without the knowledge of the stakeholders from Rivers State and Niger Delta at large,” the spokesman said.

He said such decision taken by NLNG was seen as a clear case of insensitive and provocative corporate plan, adding that the company has failed to consider the high unemployment rate in the Niger Delta region, especially in Bonny Kingdom. Wilcox said, “We are calling on President Muhammadu Buhari, Chief Nyesom Wike and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to intervene on this all important matter in order to avert a serious anarchy.

“We are going to shutdown the NLNG facilities if the company fails to do the needful, the youths of Rivers State and that of Niger Delta would be mobilize to protest across every NLNG operational community until the company consider the interest of the region.”

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