By Staff Reporter
A call has been made for the proposed Oil & Gas Industrial Park to remain in Delta Central, with stakeholders urged to place the economic interests of the people above political differences.
The appeal was made by BLDR Emoefe Lawrence, who said genuine oversight of the project should be based on verifiable evidence, expert assessments and solutions rather than political insinuations.
Lawrence was reacting to concerns reportedly raised by Senator Ede Dafinone over the suitability of Eku-Salubi as the proposed location of the Oil & Gas Industrial Park.
He challenged Dafinone to make public any credible technical reports indicating that the location was unsuitable, as well as identify the competent authorities and experts behind such assessments.
“If Senator Ede Dafinone has credible technical evidence that Eku-Salubi is unsuitable, let him publish the reports, identify the competent authorities and present the facts,” Lawrence said.
He maintained that technical concerns about the project should be subjected to proper scrutiny, stressing that political arguments should not be allowed to undermine public confidence in an investment that could generate employment, attract businesses and stimulate economic development in Delta Central.
According to him, the Oil & Gas Industrial Park belongs to the people and should not be treated as the property of any individual or political group.
Lawrence, however, said former Senator Ovie Omo-Agege deserved recognition if he played a significant role in attracting and facilitating the project for Delta Central.
He argued that political differences should not become a reason to reject or undermine a development opportunity.
“You do not have to love the farmer who planted the tree before protecting the shade it will provide for your children,” he said, stressing that the priority should be ensuring that residents derive maximum economic benefits from the project.
Lawrence also challenged Senator Dafinone to clarify his position on four key issues: whether he supports the Oil & Gas Industrial Park; whether he supports Eku-Salubi as its location; whether he will work to ensure that the project remains in Delta Central; and whether he would oppose any attempt to relocate it outside Urhoboland.
He said that if there were technical grounds for choosing another location, such evidence should be presented transparently to the people.
The statement further urged political leaders and representatives to focus on improving the project rather than allowing political rivalry to determine its fate.
“If the project needs better infrastructure, fight for it. If environmental safeguards need strengthening, demand it. If funding requires transparency, demand the documents. If the site needs technical improvement, work to fix it. That is oversight. That is representation,” Lawrence said.
He warned that losing a major federal investment could have long-term economic consequences for Delta Central, particularly at a time when young people are seeking employment opportunities and local businesses require greater investment.
Lawrence therefore called on political leaders to compete over the attraction of additional projects, protection of existing investments and creation of more economic opportunities for the people.
He concluded with an appeal for stakeholders to ensure that the project is developed, protected and completed in Delta Central.
“Build it. Protect it. Complete it. Keep it in Delta Central,” he said, adding that the people of Urhoboland and Delta Central would ultimately judge those who supported development opportunities when it mattered.
