Implications of NLNG’s relocation

The Nation

8 November 2011

Implications of NLNG’s relocation

Ending of November has been targeted for the relocation of the headquarters of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) to Port Harcourt. BISI OLANIYI reports that this appears to be a good business decision

The excitement was visible on the face of the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, while receiving the team from the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited, led by the company’s Chairman, Chief O. R. Long-John, on October 10.

The delegation included the Managing Director, Mr. Chima Ibeneche and other senior officials of the company. They came to inform the governor of their decision to relocate the company’s head office from Lagos to Port Harcourt before the end of this month.

NLNG’s plants are in coastal Bonny, headquarters of Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers state, which also hosts the crude oil loading terminal of the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).

The company is moving its headquarters’ operations with about 400 staff. NLNG was incorporated as a limited liability company in 1989, to produce liquefied natural gas (LNG) and natural gas liquids for export.

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Aggrieved Community’s Protest

The NLNG’s planned relocation is coming at a time when aggrieved people of the Niger Delta are concluding arrangements to protest naked at Aso Villa, Abuja, to show their displeasure over the lack of commensurate development in the crude oil and gas rich region. The protest is being co-ordinated by the Watchdog of Niger Delta (WDND) and the Niger Delta Peace Movement (NDPM).

The President of WDND, Amachree Oprite, and his counterpart in the NDPM, John Walter, accused the Federal Government of insincerity in developing the Niger Delta. The groups said: "We are tired of living with persistent anomalies against our region and people. If the Presidency fails to heed to making our region move forward at the expiration of this week, we shall protest naked in thousands, at the door of cozy environment of Aso Rock, Abuja.