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Tag: NLNG

  • Senate tackles NLNG, EFO over non contribution to NDDC

    Senate tackles NLNG, EFO over non contribution to NDDC

    The Senate Wednesday opened investigation into alleged non remittance of statutory contribution to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) by some government agencies.

    Senate Committee on Niger Delta saddled with the probe grilled officials of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas and Ecological Fund Office over the claim.

    Chairman of the Committee, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, told reporters that the amount due for payment to NDDC by the NLNG and the Ecological Fund Office which they allegedly refused to pay for over 16 years is colossal.

    He described the development as fragrant abuse of the law setting up the NDDC.

    Nwaoboshi said, “It is not whether that they contributed certain percentage. The point is that they had refused to obey the law since year 2000.

    “The next step the committee would take now is to invite the Accountant General of the Federation and investigate the matter to know why the two agencies of government had not been remitting what is due to the NDDC to it.

    “We are conducting holistic investigation into the activities of the NDDC. What we want to do is to find out first, the claims in some quota that colossal amount had been given to the people of Niger Delta region through the NDDC while there is nothing on the ground.

    “We want to, know how much the agency had received so far from year 2000 to date. What are the projects they have executed with the money.

    “We want to know those who are contributing to the agency. We have asked the Managing Director of the NLNG, Mr, Babs Omotowa, and he said that they have not been contributing money to the NDDC.

    “They showed us a Supreme Court judgement which described NLNG as a gas processing company and that there is a gas Act that came before that of NDDC Act.

    “They argued that the NDDC Act has not repealed the Gas Act. The NLNG claimed that the Gas Act has given them tax holiday.

    “We are lawmakers and we are going to revisit the two Acts. We will go into the root of the matter.

    “We don’t just make laws for the purpose of making it. Laws are meant to be obeyed. If government agencies and institutions refuse to obey the law, why do we talk about the rule of law?

    “Laws made by the National Assembly should be obeyed. Everybody is complaining that the NDDC is not performing but are they receiving the due funding especially from the oil companies.

    “The oil companies are supposed to pay three percent of their budget to NDDC but they are giving less than that.

    “When they came before our committee, I read out the Act to them and some of them started apologising.

    “They said they thought that they were supposed to pay three percent of the projects that they execute in their communities.

    “There has been total disregard and respect for the NDDC Act and nobody will allow that.”

    The Permanent Secretary, Ecological Fund Office, Mr. Mohammed Abass, said that his office has made contributions but not to the NDDC.

    He noted that the Ecological Fund Office spends only the money approved for it by the President for design and drawing.

    He added that the NDDC has never approached the Ecological Fund Office to ask for statutory funding.

    Abass said, “Our office receives one percent of the approved money due to the consolidated fund which is the federal government share of the federation account.

    “Every other state in the federation receives one percent of the fund too. The account is called derivation and ecology.

    “The Fiscal Allocation Committee shares two percent of the funds in the federation account to the federal, states and local governments.

    The federal government receives 48.5 percent, states receives 24 percent while the local governments receive 20 percent. The ecological Fund Office manages the federal government share.

    “Therefore, the Ecological Fund Office is not supposed to fund any state from its own resources because every state gets their own share of the allocation from the federation account and not from the consolidated revenue fund.

    “I believe that the NDDC should receive funding from the shares due to states and local governments.

    “The distribution of the shares of states and local governments are being controlled by the office of the Accountant – General of the Federation.

    “There was no time that the NDDC has come to us to ask for funding. The fund we handle is used by the federal government to carry out intervention in states.”

  • NLNG offers N60b for federal road’s construction

    NLNG offers N60b for federal road’s construction

    The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) yesterday offered to contribute N60b for the completion of the Bonny-Bodo federal road.

    NDDC Managing Director Babs Omotowa made the offer while appearing before the Senate Committee on Niger Delta in Abuja.

    The NLNG re-stated its offer to provide 50 per cent of the funding, worth N60 billion, provided the partnership is accepted and matched by the Federal Government.

    The company, in a statement by its General Manager, External Relations Division, Kudo Eresia-Eke, urged the Federal Government and relevant agencies, including the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), to partner with it in the development of this long-standing government project which will help improve the infrastructure in the Niger Delta.

    The road, it said, will better the lives of the thousands of Nigerians, mainly from the Niger Delta living on Bonny Island, as well other Niger Delta residents in Ogoni, Okrika, Eleme, Andoni and so on.

    The NLNG also clarified the company’s position on NLNG’s exemption from payment of a three percent (3 per cent) NDDC levy. NLNG was granted exemption from payment of this levy by the provisions of the NLNG Act of 2004.

    The company told the committee that the matter under reference was the subject of a legal action filed against NLNG by the NDDC in 2005, and that the case had gone to the Appeal Court and the Supreme Court, which all ruled in NLNG’s favour.

    According to the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Babs Omotowa, “Nigeria LNG Limited is a law abiding company and has continued to operate within the confines of local and international regulation and the law since inception”.

    The company said its  financial contributions to Nigeria and the Niger Delta have been significant. Apart from $3.6 billion (N720 billion) that NLNG paid as Company Income Tax and Education Tax in 2014 and 2015 which remains the highest by any company in Nigeria and Sub-Sahara Africa, the company also pays N6 billion annually to the Rivers State government and N140 million annually to the Bonny Local Government Council.

    The NLNG added that it is unable to honour unlawful payment demand, “such as NDDC is making, for the single reason that such action would be in violation of the law and would project Nigeria in negative light with international community from where foreign investments are required even at this crucial time”.

    It added: “The financial value of all these NLNG Corporate Social Responsibility activities in the Niger Delta far outweigh the 3% NDDC levy, and thus confirms our position that the issue is not about the levy but strictly about compliance with the rule of law. It is about ensuring that Nigeria remains an attractive destination for foreign investment and that Nigerians are seen globally as a people who honour agreements and letters of assurance from the Government. The foreign investor community and potential foreign investors will be looking at how current investors are treated, and how laws are being complied with.”

     

     

  • NLNG faults ActionAid’s claim on tax incentives

    NLNG faults ActionAid’s claim on tax incentives

    The attention of Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has been drawn to a report by ActionAid, an NGO, which focused on the alleged impact of tax breaks on social services in Nigeria.

    The report made several references to Nigeria LNG Limited and purported tax losses to the government totalling $3.9 billion as a result of tax break granted to the company.

    According to the General Manager, External Relations Division Kudo Eresia-Eke, NLNG the claim is false and misleading. It is most instructive to note also, that ActionAid itself admits in its report that its figure is a ‘hypothetical’ one, he said.

    “Contrary to ActionAid’s claim, the reality is that the Federal Government’s initial investment of $2.5 billion, bolstered by the associated tax incentives, has so far yielded over $33 billion in the form of dividends, taxes and feedgas purchases for the country over the past 16 years, with an additional $5 billion accruing through corporate spending on local goods and services during the same period. The company paid $3.6 billion in Company Income Tax and Education Tax between 2014 and 2015. This is in line with NLNG’s corporate vision to help build a better Nigeria.

    “Nigeria LNG Limited was established at a period when the LNG technology was still very new in Africa. Indeed, the establishment of NLNG made Nigeria the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa to possess such new technology and the second such country in all of Africa. Considering the pioneering nature of such a company in Nigeria, as well as the huge  investments required, running to several billions of dollars in foreign investments, NLNG was granted a 10-year tax holiday by the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under the provisions of the Nigeria LNG (Fiscal Incentives, Guarantees and Assurances) Act, CAP. N87, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 (“NLNG Act”).

    “The concept of tax holidays are not unusual practice in the global business community. Indeed, Angola has notably offered as much as 12 years tax holidays to encourage investments in their LNG industry, while other countries like Oman, Malaysia, Qatar and Trinidad have offered up to 10 year tax holidays to attract LNG investments.

    “Additionally, more generous tax incentive schemes currently exist in free trade zones in Nigeria where participants are granted absolute exemption from all forms of taxes and levies chargeable by any level of government, in perpetuity. Several well-known corporations in the country have and are currently investing in these zones (in logistics, infrastructure and refineries, to name a few of such ventures) on the basis of such perpetual and overarching tax incentives.”

    He noted that NLNG’s tax holiday period was from 1999 to 2009 and, contrary to the observations in the report, is expressly provided for under Section 2 of the NLNG Act, an Act of Parliament. During that period, NLNG grew from an initial investment of two trains to six train facility, as the construction of the additional trains was funded, mainly, by approximately $3 billion of returns generated from the project during the tax break period. The current total valuation of the now six train plant is $16 billion.

    At the expiration of the tax holiday  for NLNG, the company did not have taxable profit for the 2010 to 2012 financial years due to unrelieved Capital Allowances on qualifying fixed assets acquired during the pioneer period. The Capital Allowances were duly applied in line with the provisions of the NLNG Act and Companies Income Tax Act, CAP C21, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, he added.

    ‘’Regardless, NLNG paid Education Tax of $65.08 million, $107.04 million and $118.59 million for the 2010, 2011 and 2012 financial years,’’ he said.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Tax breaks: NLNG faults ActionAid claim on tax incentives

    Tax breaks: NLNG faults ActionAid claim on tax incentives

    The Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has faulted a report by ActionAid on the alleged impact of tax breaks on social services in Nigeria.

    The company in a statement by General Manager, External Relations Division, Kudo Eresia-Eke said the report makes several references to Nigeria LNG Limited and purported tax losses to the government totaling $3.9 billion as a result of tax break granted to the company.

    The statement reads; “NLNG wishes to state that this claim is false and misleading.  It is most instructive to note also, that ActionAid itself admits in its report that its figure is a ‘hypothetical’ one.

    “Contrary to ActionAid’s claim, the reality is that the Federal Government’s initial investment of US$2.5billion, bolstered by the associated tax incentives, has so far yielded over US$ 33 billion in the form of dividends, taxes and feed gas purchases for the country over the past 16 years, with an additional US$ 5 billion accruing through corporate spend on local goods and services during the same period. The company paid $3.6 billion in Company Income Tax and Education Tax between 2014 and 2015. This is in line with NLNG’s corporate vision to help build a better Nigeria.

    “Nigeria LNG Limited was established at a period when the LNG technology was still very new in Africa. Indeed, the establishment of NLNG made Nigeria the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa to possess such new technology and the second such country in all of Africa. Considering the pioneering nature of such a company in Nigeria, as well as the huge  investments required, running to several billions of dollars in foreign investments, NLNG was granted a 10-year tax holiday by the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria under the provisions of the Nigeria LNG (Fiscal Incentives, Guarantees and Assurances) Act, CAP. N87, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 (“NLNG Act”).

    “The concept of tax holidays are not unusual practice in the global business community. Indeed Angola has notably offered as much as 12 years tax holidays to encourage investments in their LNG industry, while other countries like Oman, Malaysia, Qatar and Trinidad have offered up to 10 year tax holidays to attract LNG investments.

    “Additionally, more generous tax incentive schemes currently exist in free trade zones in Nigeria where participants are granted absolute exemption from all forms of taxes and levies chargeable by any level of government, in perpetuity. Several well-known corporations in the country have and are currently investing in these zones (in logistics, infrastructure and refineries, to name a few of such ventures) on the basis of such perpetual and overarching tax incentives.

    “NLNG’s tax holiday period was from 1999 to 2009 and, contrary to the observations in the report, is expressly provided for under Section 2 of the NLNG Act, an Act of Parliament.”

    It also added, “During that period, NLNG grew from an initial investment of two trains to 6 (six) train facility, as the construction of the additional trains was funded, mainly, by approximately US$3billion of returns generated from the project during the tax break period. The current total valuation of the now 6- (six) train plant is US$16billion.

    “At the expiration of the tax holiday period for NLNG, the company did not have taxable profit for the 2010 to 2012 financial years due to unrelieved Capital Allowances on qualifying fixed assets acquired during the pioneer period. The Capital Allowances were duly applied in line with the provisions of the NLNG Act and Companies Income Tax Act, CAP C21, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

    “Regardless, NLNG paid Education Tax in the sum of US$65.08million, US$107.04million and US$118.59million for the 2010, 2011 and 2012 financial years, respectively.

    “NLNG is a good corporate citizen and believes in the payment of applicable taxes. This belief drives its commitment to dutifully discharge that obligation in accordance with Nigerian law.

    “In addition to this, NLNG has contributed to the socio-economic wellbeing of the country, impacting positively on host communities and the larger society it operates. Over the years, NLNG has, among other things, invested in the provision of amenities (24 hours electricity, roads and pipe borne water) to thousands of households and businesses in our primary host community on Bonny Island, where its plant facility is located. In addition, the company supports the improvement of infrastructure, health and educational facilities and encourages local enterprise, facilitating knowledge exchange and reinforcing local capacity in the sustainable use of resources.

    “NLNG has continued to support education in Nigeria through several capacity building initiatives and the sponsorship of The Nigeria Prize for Science and The Nigeria Prize for Literature worth $100,000 each in annual value to the winners.

    A recent addition to NLNG’s corporate social responsibility portfolio is the University Support Programme formally announced in 2014 and valued at $12 million. The programme involves the building/refurbishment and equipping of ultra-modern engineering laboratories in six (6) carefully selected universities from across Nigeria, as part of the company’s targeted support towards the development of teaching and research.

    “NLNG is owned by four shareholders, namely, the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC (49%),  Shell Gas BV, SGBV, (25.6%), Total LNG Nigeria Limited (15%), and Eni International (N.A,) N. V. S. a. r. l (10.4%).”

  • ‘NLNG can exceed 350,000MT yearly supply ’

    ‘NLNG can exceed 350,000MT yearly supply ’

    Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) can surpass its yearly supply of 350, 000 metric tonnes (MT) of LPG, its Manager, Marketing and Development, Abdulkadir Ahmed, has said.

    He gave this hint at a stakeholders’ forum in Lagos.

    He said NLNG has not only supplied over 700,000 MT since inception, but can also exceed its annual supply of the product provided the market can absorb it.

    He said the gap between the demand and supply of the product was not caused by NLNG but by institutional bottlenecks occasioned by delay at the terminals where LPG is being discharged among other factors.

    Also, the President, Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association of Nigeria (LPGAN), Mr. Dapo Adesina, said NLNG could supply as much as one million tonnes of LPG, provided the market can accommodate it.

    He said the occasional scarcity of LPG, otherwise known as cooling gas, in the market was not as a result of low supply from the NLNG, but delay in the delivery of the product at the terminals.

    He said NLNG’s terminals were approved by the Federal Government to discharge LPG, and that two are actually providing the service.

    Adesina said vessels bringing LPG to Lagos from NLNG’s base in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, were sometimes delayed for days at the terminals for one reason or the other.

    He said the North Oil Jetty (NOJ) was directed by the government to give priority to Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in order to ease fuel scarcity, noting that the issue has prevented LPG vessels from discharging their content as at when due.

    Adesina said the fact that some companies are importing LPG from Niger Republic and other countries does not mean that Nigeria cannot meet local demand for the product.

    “As far as I’m concerned, Nigeria has huge gas potentials in the world, and to meet the domestic demand of LPG is not a problem in the country,” he added.

  • LPG market battles fake products, others, says NLNG

    The Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) market is battling substandard products and other problems, the Manager, Marketing/Development, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), Abdulkahid Ahmed has said.

    Other problems besetting the growth of the market include inadequate vessels that would bring the product from the firm’s base in Port Harcourt, Rivers State to Lagos, inefficiency in shipping operation and  its attendant increase in  freight cost, and uneven distribution terminals.

    Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum last week in Lagos, Ahmed said the firm,  in spite of the challenging environment, has so far  supplied 700,000 metric tonnes of LPG into the market.

    He said NLNG has  increased the supply of LPG from 150, 000 metric tonnes to 350,000 in the last few years.

    According to him, analysis of the LPG supply chain and key challenges facing  the sub-sector carried out  by NLNG,  showed that   certain problems exist in the market.

    He said: ‘’There are problems  in areas such as shipping and supply of LPG to the consumers; manufacturing of LPG cylinders and other accessories; and facilities or terminals used in discharging the product to the oil marketing firms.”

    He lamented that the flooding of the market with substandard LPG was another major challenge.

    Ahmed said LPG is in  short supply in the country,because there is shortage of terminals to discharge the product to end users.

    ‘’The  jetties or terminals used for LPG are not many,  coupled with the fact that there is shortage of promoters in the sub-sector. “Though there is improvement in the environment  in which the  operators  operate, more needs to be done to develop the market,‘’ he added.

    He said there is no functional cylinder manufacturing plant in the country, stressing that the issue has resulted in the importation of cylinders and other accessories into the country.

    Ahmed said funding has constrained the capacity of  Nigerians to invest in production of  cylinders and other accessories locally.

  • Fed Govt, states to share $150m NLNG dividends

    Fed Govt, states to share $150m NLNG dividends

    CASH-STRAPPED states are to get some funds, with the National Economic Council (NEC) approving the sharing of $150 million from the $400 million Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) dividend by the Federal Government and the states.

    The Council also approved that the balance of $250 million be invested in the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority to increase its capital.

    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola briefed State House correspondents at the end of the meeting.

    With him were, Enugu State Governor Ifianyi Ugwuanyi, Minister of Budget and National Planning Udoma Udo-Udoma and Nassarawa State Deputy Governor Silas Agara.

    Aregbesola said: “The Managing Director of the Sovereign Wealth Fund Authority presented the status report on the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) to the council. After due deliberations on the report, the council agreed that $250m from the $400m NLNG dividend be invested in the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority to increase its capital.

    “Council resolved that the balance of $150 million of the said $400 million NLNG fund be shared accordingly in the prescribed formulae at the Federation Account.

    “Council directed the Minister of Finance to constitute an executive nomination committee and work in consultation with NEC to appoint appropriate persons to take over as board members of the NSIA if the current board is dissolved.”

    On government agencies generating revenues in foreign currency but remitting naira into the federation account, he said the Council mandated the Ministry of Finance to investigate the matter and report back.

    He also said that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was mandated to enlighten the public on the forex policy and relevant laws and regulations to guide traders and others who encounter challenges regarding the movement of foreign currency across the nation’s borders.

    “We understood that some traders, particularly in the East, encounter challenges at the airports when they intend to go about their businesses,” he added

    On the balance in the Excess Crude Account (ECA), Aregbesola said: “At the end of the NEC meeting today, the Accountant-General of the Federation reported that the balance of the ECA stood at $2.257 billion and that is not much change from the last report.”

    The governor also said that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Senior Resident Representative made presentation at a workshop for governors during the Council meeting on Treasury Single Account (TSA).

    He said: “Presentations were made on the listed sub topics: Implementation of TSA in states”: lessons and experience; cash management and TSA reform: an overview of international practice; and budgeting reforms.

     

  • Why cost of cooking gas is high, by NLNG

    •Firm has helped in flaring reduction

    The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) has attributed the high cost of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to logistics and lack of infrastructure.

    The General Manager, External Relations, Nigeria LNG, Dr Kudo Eresia-Eke, made this known during an interaction with reporters in Lagos.

    He said the cost of LPG (also called cooking gas) is supposed to be cheaper than it is, but owing to some factors, off-takers of the commodity add the extra cost they incur, making the end-users pay more. The price of 12.5kg cylinder of cooking gas is about N3000 in Lagos.

    He explained that if the infrastructure is available, the product would have be supplied from NLNG’s Bonny plant in Rivers State to Lagos, and to consumers but for lack of infrastructure, the product is delivered through vessels (ships). The ships take the LPG from Bonny to Lagos from where it is pumped into tanks at depots.

    Eresia-Eke said the intervention of NLNG has reduced the cost of the gas. According to him, supply of LPG to domestic market was not initially planned, but the company started the supply of LPG to the domestic market in 2007, when the refineries were down and supply affected. Now, the problem of inadequate supply had solved, he added.

    He said: “The intervention, which is in line with company’s vision of helping to build a better Nigeria, has significantly contributed to the stimulation and development of the domestic LPG market in Nigeria and has effectively brought down the price of cooking gas from over N7,000 in 2007 to less than N3,500 per 12.5kg cylinder today.”

    He added that NLNG is committed to delivering 250,000 tonnes of LPG yearly and has signed sales and purchase agreements (SPAs) with 15 off-takers for the lifting of LPG for the domestic market.

    Eresia-Eke also said the company has made huge gains on gas flaring.

    According to him, gas flaring was within the range of  50-70 per cent, but now it is about 10 per cent. He said the NLNG has created impact in gas flaring reduction, but noted there is still more to be done.

    He said because the interest of oil firms was in oil, gas then was a nuisance. ‘’Because you have to get rid of the gas before you get the oil, associated gas was flared. That is one of the fundamental reasons for the establishment of the NLNG, to contain the menace of gas flaring,’’ he added.

    He said there is almost an equation of pricing irrespective of location on the world stage as of today.

    “The major thing that has occurred in terms of NLNG and gas flow is the related technology in place. In the market, it is obvious that supply is so high; however, the price is very low. One thing is sure, it can no longer be what it used to be in terms of purchasing energy, cost and technology; and no one knows how it will end,” he said.

     

  • NLNG seeks robust partnership with Rivers govt

    NLNG seeks robust partnership with Rivers govt

    Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited is seeking a robust partnership with Rivers State on the protection of its staff and assets.

    Speaking at a ground breaking ceremony of its head office on Wednesday, in Port Harcourt, its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Babs Omotowa, said without Rivers State government’s support, it would be difficult for the company to accomplish the laudable achievements it was known for.

    He said: “Any negative impact to our people and assets would hamper our ability to deliver on our obligations to our buyers and adversely affect the value we bring to government revenue.

    “Our relationship with Rivers State represents a unique partnership between government and a corporate giant, coming together for a shared purpose: to impact in the most positive way possible a better Rivers State and Nigeria.

    “Today, by this ground-breaking to erect our new head office, we make an unequivocal statement, that Nigeria LNG Limited is a partner with the people of Rivers State in the sustainable development of the state and its people.Our resolve in 2010 to relocate NLNG’s head office to Port-Harcourt right next to its support base was and still is a business decision. It made good business sense to be in close proximity to our world-class plant located across the river in Bonny. It also made sense to be closer to the people and over hundred and ten (110) pipeline communities whose activities have a direct impact on our company’s ability to deliver liquefied natural gas (LNG) and natural gas liquids (NGLs) to many locations around the world,” he added.

    Omotowa assured the Rivers State government of continued support through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes.

    He said: “We continue to support the government in building capacity and empowering its people through various scholarship awards across secondary and tertiary levels of education and, more recently, through our support for the University of Port Harcourt to upgrade its engineering laboratory. The upgrade comes at a cost of $2 million.”

    Governor Nyesom Wike said: “On our part, we promise to provide you with the support you may need to secure the construction site and ensure that work goes on smoothly. We appreciate NLNG for the various intervention projects the company is undertaking in its host communities especially on Bonny Island.”

    The governor also hailed NLNG for its Train 7 expansion project.

  • Dry dock location: Youths’ letter scares NLNG management

    The management of multinational gas corporation, the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Company (NLNG) and its investors are panicking, following a protest letter by a coalition of Rivers State youths and other stakeholders on the proposed location of NLNG’s dry dock.

    The letter was said to have startling revelations previously unheard of and lay credence to the fact that NLNG, despite its denials, sponsored the proposed dry dock project in Badagry, Lagos State.

    The nine-page letter, which was copied to government and strategic agencies across the country, was written by Rivers youth leaders representing various groups, stakeholders and other Niger Delta youths.

    The youths, under the aegis of the Joint Niger Delta Youth Movement, is led by Niger Delta activist, Ann Kio Briggs.

    They urged the company to reverse the relocation of the project from Rivers to Lagos State.

    Among those present at the NLNG complex in Port Harcourt at the presentation of the protest letter, are: Chairman of Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Rivers State chapter, Amb. Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo; the National Secretary-General of Ijaw Youth Council and Leader of Rivers Ijaw Youths, Emmanuel Bristol Alagbariya; leader of Bonny Youth Federation, Simeon Wilcox, among others.

    They regretted the non-inclusion of the host communities in NLNG projects and condemned what they called the high-level deceit, fabrication and deliberate intention to foist crisis in the region.

    It was learnt that there was disquiet among the rank file of the NLNG management over the relocation controversy.

    The protesters called for the relocation of the dry dock in any part of Niger Delta.

    Their letter was submitted amidst tight security by the NLNG management, but it did not deter the youth and stakeholders, who matched on the NLNG premises, from delivering it to one of NLNG’s key management officers.

    The letter reads: “It is not in dispute that you, NLNG, conceived the idea and sponsored the disputed dry dock feasibility studies, received, accepted, gave approval to the report and indeed mobilised banks and investors and also organised a road show to actualise and give effect to your desired decision to site the dry dock in Lagos as pre determined.

    “It is necessary here to note that before the feasibility study and road show of December 9, 2014, organised by you, there were no foreign or local investors (company or consortium) for the dry dock. But to our chagrin, NLNG had named the project Badagry Ship Repair and Marine Engineering (BSME).”