A stakeholders meeting to pave way for the construction of Africa’s largest industrial gas city in Ogidigben, Warri South West Local Government Area, was held yesterday in Warri with Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan asking for cooperation from all communities in the area to ensure that the project got underway smoothly.

The multi-billion dollars project would be located back to back with EGTL (Escravos Gas To Liquid) project almost similar to the one being constructed by Chevron Nigeria Limited and expected to be completed in seven years.

The project which will occupy a land space of over two thousand and eight hundred hectares will have among other things a refinery, a gas plant, a fertilizer processing plant and a petrochemical plant.

The plant when completed and fully operational is expected to provide employment for more than two hundred thousand persons of different skills and professional qualifications.

Briefing stakeholders, an excited Uduaghan enjoined the people of the area to cooperate with the Nigerian Government, the NNPC and the contractors handling the project to ensure that the project got underway without hitches.

He explained that the project is a blessing to Delta State as it will help to strengthen the economy of the state and provide employment opportunities for people in the state and the country.

The governor also asked the people to shun negative actions and comments that may send wrong signals to the international community.

His words: “I appeal to you all to cooperate with us in ensuring that this project gets underway and is successful. We have done it with the EGTL project so we already have a template for success. All we have to do is to activate the same template and ensure that this project is delivered on schedule.”

The project, according to Dr. Uduaghan, will help to ensure that the gas being flared is also utilized rather than being wasted and used to pollute the environment.

Briefing the people, the Group Executive Director, Gas and Power of NNPC, Mr. David Ige, said the project is privately-driven, aimed at proper utilisation of the nation’s hydrocarbon reserves and expanding the wealth of the country.

He commended Governor Uduaghan for his spirited effort in ensuring that the project remained in Delta State appealed for necessary cooperation so that the project will be delivered within the stipulated time.

Participants at the stakeholders meeting expressed delight at the project, explaining that they will do all within their powers to ensure that the project goes on smoothly.

They said the benefits are enormous and that every community in the area would join hands with the State and Federal Governments to ensure that the project went on without hitches.

The communities which cut across the Itsekiri, Ijaw and Ilaje promised to cooperate with the government but urged that everyone should be carried along.

•Photo shows Governor Uduaghan.