Leadership (Abuja)
16 November 2009
Abuja — For encroaching on the right of way of the Umuebulu Non Associated Gas Plant, Rivers Governor Chibuike Amaechi has ordered the relocation of the community to save the residents from possible industrial accident.
Amaechi directed state officials to enumerate the affected families and houses located on the plant's right of way, saying the government would appropriate the land at commercial rate and compensate the people.
The governor gave the order and offer of recompense after a guided tour of the gas plant operated under the SPDC/NNPC Joint Venture.
He was accompanied on the tour by the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mr Mohammed Barkindo, some commissioners and the Chairman of Oyigbo Local Government Area, where the plant is located.
Amaechi directed the Commissioner for Land and Urban Planning and the council chief to commence the process of removing the people from the operational areas of the gas plant, which is being re-streamed into production.
He also urged the state officials to mount an intensive public enlightenment and education programme in the community to acquaint the people with the inherent dangers in living next to a gas plant as well as prepare them for eviction.
The plant has shut down for more than two years as a result of the encroachment, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
Amaechi said that as governor, he had the constitutional right to protect his people and would therefore not fold his alms while they subject their lives and property to danger.
"This is a time bomb waiting to explode," he said, tasking the officials to ensure that the right of way of 200 metres on both sides of the plant was maintained to ensure safety and security of the people," he added.
According to the governor, there is enough land east of the community where the residents can buy land and settle after receiving compensation from the government.
Amaechi gave the community one month to relocate after the compensation.
In a remark, Barkindo said it was in the interest of the community to walk away from "disaster waiting to happen", adding that the level of destruction would be unimaginable if the people remained in the area when the plant begins full production. (NAN)
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