By Henry Umoru
ABUJA — The Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, has commended President Bola Tinubu for approving a 15-year gas supply framework for UTM Offshore Limited to facilitate the construction of Nigeria’s first Floating Liquefied Natural Gas, FLNG, facility.
UTM Offshore Limited is an indigenous company operating in the Niger Delta.
In a statement on Sunday, National Chairman of PANDEF, Ambassador Godknows Igali, described the approval as significant to ongoing efforts to accelerate industrialisation and economic development in the Niger Delta.
The statement, titled, “Appreciation for granting of 15 years Gas Supply to UTM Offshore Limited for the purpose of building Nigeria’s first Floating LNG,” said the multi-billion-dollar project, proposed for offshore Akwa Ibom State, would contribute to economic activities in the Niger Delta and the country.
Igali said, “PANDEF considers your approval of this gas supply momentous as it will add significantly to the efforts which are at different levels to bring about the rapid industrialisation of the Niger Delta.
“In this case, the multi-billion-dollar construction of this floating LNG which is intended to be located offshore Akwa Ibom State will engender rapid economic development in the whole Niger Delta and Nigeria at large.”
He said the project would also contribute to the development of Nigeria’s gas industry, particularly through greater participation by indigenous companies.
Igali noted that the project, alongside other investments in the sector, could contribute to the development of a gas-based economy.
He also commended UTM Offshore Limited and its Managing Director, Dr Julius Rone, describing the project as an encouragement to other indigenous entrepreneurs to invest in the development and utilisation of Nigeria’s gas resources.
According to him, the construction phase of the project could generate employment opportunities and stimulate other economic activities in the region.
Igali said PANDEF also expected the project to contribute to improved access to gas and efforts to address gas flaring and its environmental impact in the Niger Delta.
He said, “Even at the social level, we are hopeful that this project and many like it which will come in the future will help to raise the standard of living of people of the area, by stemming the tide of skyrocketing domestic and industrial gas prices.
“At another level, this will also help to combat the scourge of gas flaring which has for many decades contributed to pollution in the area.”
The PANDEF chairman urged the Federal Government to continue providing the necessary support to enable the project team to meet its implementation timelines.
Igali also assured the President of PANDEF’s support for the project, particularly in mobilising stakeholders in the Niger Delta to create a conducive environment for its implementation.
“On our part, we take the opportunity to assure Mr President that PANDEF will be at the fulcrum in galvanising support of the people of the Niger Delta, in particular our people in Akwa Ibom State, to ensure that the right environment exists locally for the take-off of the project and throughout its lifespan,” he said.
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