Following the controversy over the attribution of NNPCL and the Presidential Gas Initiative’s Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) projects in Ajaokuta in Kogi State to Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who allegedly claimed sole responsibility for influencing the siting of the projects in the State, a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Francis Ejiroghene Waive, has clarified the facts surrounding the projects.
Social media has been flooded with posts, particularly from supporters of a former Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omoge-Agege, criticising Delta State’s three APC Senators for failing to counter Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, for allegedly diverting projects meant for Delta State to Kogi State. However, some commentators see the development as a calculated media attack by the former DSP’s team to undermine the APC senators.
However, Hon. Waive, who represents Ughelli North, South, and Udu federal constituency in the House of Representatives, clarified the facts surrounding the CNG projects. He denounced misinformation over the project and emphasised that the gas plant in Kogi State was not a political manoeuvre of any Senator but an economic decision facilitated by existing gas infrastructure.
According to him, gas projects fall under the Committee on Gas, not the Local Content Committee, as some falsely claimed. He also refuted the notion that the present administration initiated the pipeline transporting gas from the Niger Delta to Niger Republic, reminding Nigerians that former President Muhammadu Buhari started the project. “Such large-scale infrastructure projects require long-term planning and are beyond the tenure of a single administration.”
Hon. Waive pointed out that Niger Delta lawmakers in the 9th Nafional Assembly never opposed the pipeline construction during Buhari’s tenure. “If this project were truly questionable, why did Niger Delta representatives remain silent then?” He asserted that controversy only arose when political actors sought to exploit it for their personal gain.
He reiterated that the decision to construct five CNG plants in Kogi State was purely for economic reason, as the pipeline already provides easy access for distribution to the northern region. However, he expressed concern that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was attempting to claim undue credit for the project, misleading the public about her role. He warned against such narratives aimed to manipulate public opinion against Niger Delta federal lawmakers.
Hon. Waive called for an end to the politicisation of the vital infrastructure project and condemned smear campaigns against leaders working for Nigeria’s economic growth. “Those spreading these falsehoods should reconsider their actions, as misinformation ultimately harms the very people they claim to represent.”
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