The Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Ede Dafinone, has declared that the economic interests of the Urhobo Nation must be protected in any decision concerning the proposed Sanubi-Orogun Industrial Gas Park in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.
Dafinone, who is Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content, said he had never supported, and would never support, any move capable of depriving the Urhobo people of the economic benefits of the strategic gas investment.
The senator made the position known while reacting to what he described as controversy and misinformation surrounding the proposed industrial gas park.
He said his involvement in the matter arose from his legislative oversight responsibilities and engagements with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, where he said several challenges surrounding the project came to light.
According to him, the issues include land acquisition, ownership disputes and concerns over the proposed location of the project.
Dafinone maintained that acknowledging the challenges was necessary to finding a solution, insisting that efforts to resolve the issues should not be twisted into an attempt to frustrate the project.
“These challenges are real. Pretending otherwise or twisting efforts to address them does not advance the interest of Urhobo Nation,” he said.
The senator stressed that, as the representative of Delta Central, his responsibility was to engage the relevant authorities and ensure that the interests of his constituents and the wider Urhobo Nation were not compromised.
He said any decision on the future location of the gas park must not lead to its removal from Urhobo land.
Dafinone added that where technical, environmental or land-related considerations required adjustments, such decisions must be reached through proper consultation and without sacrificing the economic interests of the Urhobo people.
He said he would continue discussions with the NCDMB, relevant federal authorities, community leaders and other stakeholders in a bid to resolve the outstanding issues.
The senator described the Industrial Gas Park as a major opportunity capable of attracting investment, creating employment and accelerating industrial development in the region.
He cautioned against turning the matter into political propaganda or a contest over who should receive credit for the project.
“The overriding concern must be to protect the collective economic interest of Urhobo Nation,” Dafinone said.
He also dismissed suggestions that his engagement with federal authorities over the project was against the interest of the Urhobo people, describing such claims as false and baseless.
“My record and my responsibility are clear: to defend the interests of Delta Central and pursue opportunities that advance the future of our people,” he stated.
