The Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited has reacted to a resolution by the Senate for compensation, saying that it conducts its affairs within the law.
The Senate on Tuesday directed NLNG to pay N18.4 billion compensation to 73 communities of Obiafu, Soku to Bonny in Rivers State for acquiring their land and loss of use of the affected land to pipeline rights of way through the communities.
The Senate further directed that the payment should be made within 60 days.
The resolutions were adopted after the Senate considered the report of its Committee on Ethics, Priveleges And Public Petitions that investigated a petition by the communities.
Presenting the report, the Committee chairman, Senator Patrick Akinyelure, said following its incorporation, the NLNG acquired landed properties in Rivers State spanning over 210 kilometres for use as its pipelines right of way which ended at the export terminal of the NLNG in Finima, Bonny Local Government of the state.
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“The total amount it paid for part of the 210 kilometres of land acquired for pipelines Rights of Way was N74,642,773.00 which is not significant when compared to the sum of N18.4 billion approximately demanded by the 73 communities and over 200 families, which has never been objected to by the NLNG up till now,” Akinyelure said.
Reacting to the development, the NLNG in a statement on Wednesday by its general manager, external relations and sustainable development, Andy Odeh, said it is evaluating the resolution.
The statement said, “The attention of Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has been drawn to a resolution said to have been passed by the Senate, following the consideration of a report by its Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, sequel to a petition relating to compensation for the acquisition of a Right of Way across some communities.
“NLNG is evaluating the resolution and circumstances surrounding it.
“NLNG wishes to state that it has always conducted its business responsibly and in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, including in this specific matter.”
