Urhobo Interest Must Be Protected in Industrial Gas Park Project, says Dafinone

Delta Central Senator, Ede Dafinone, has declared that the proposed Industrial Gas Park at Sanubi-Orogun, Ughelli North, must not be relocated outside Urhobo land, insisting that the economic interests of the Urhobo people must be protected.

Dafinone, who is Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content, made the position known while reacting to controversy and what he described as misinformation surrounding the proposed gas park.

The senator said his involvement with the project arose from legislative oversight and engagements with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), where he said issues concerning land acquisition, ownership disputes and the proposed location became apparent.

According to him, those concerns are genuine and should be addressed through proper consultation rather than being distorted for political purposes.

“My position is therefore straightforward: any decision concerning the future location of the project must not result in its removal from Urhobo land,” Dafinone said.

He stressed that where technical, environmental or land-related concerns necessitate adjustments, such decisions must take into account the economic interests of the Urhobo people.

Dafinone said he would continue engaging the NCDMB, relevant federal authorities, community leaders and other stakeholders to resolve the outstanding issues.

He described the Industrial Gas Park as a major opportunity for investment, employment and industrial development, warning against reducing the matter to political propaganda or a contest over who gets credit.

“The overriding concern must be to protect the collective economic interest of Urhobo Nation,” he said.

The Delta Central senator also rejected claims that his engagements on the project were against Urhobo interests, maintaining that his responsibility is to defend Delta Central and pursue opportunities capable of advancing the economic future of the people.