16 November 2009
Abuja — The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Rivers State Government have pledged to collaborate to restore production activities at the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in Obigbo Gas Plant, Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The plant was producing 90 million standard cubic feet per day of Non Associated Gas before it stopped two years ago following massive invasion of the pipelines right of way by inhabitants of Umuebulu Community via erection of buildings and cultivation of farmlands.
Speaking at the end of an extensive joint facility tour of the plant over the weekend, the Group Managing Director of NNPC Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo and Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State said they are embarking on measures to revive the plant.
Barkindo described the resuscitation of the Obigbo gas plant as a necessity in achieving the nation's short and medium term gas projection target.
He said: "I did not expect to see what I saw. We have no option open to us than to work with the Governor, the LGA Chairman and Shell to immediately see how we can quickly relocate these people who have encroached on this facility.
"This is disaster waiting to happen. We are shutting down 90 million scuf of gas at a time when every molecule is very important for our domestic gas obligations but life comes first."
Governor Amaechi said that he has directed the commissioner for urban development to value the properties and enumerate the people in good time for eventual demolition.
He said the properties would be demolished within a month. He said the commissioner of urban development has been mandated to explain to everyone reason for the demolition.
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