Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Ede Dafinone, has clarified his position on the proposed Sanubi-Orogun Industrial Gas Park, insisting that the strategic investment must not be removed from Urhobo land at the expense of the economic interests of the people.
Dafinone, who serves as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content, said his position became necessary following what he described as controversy and misinformation surrounding the proposed industrial project in Salubi-Orogun, Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.
In a statement on Saturday, the Senator said he had never supported, and would never support, any attempt to deprive the Urhobo Nation of the economic benefits associated with the project.
He explained that his involvement with the matter stemmed from legislative oversight responsibilities and engagements with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), where issues concerning the project were brought to his attention.
According to him, the engagements revealed challenges relating to land acquisition, ownership disputes and concerns over the proposed location of the gas park.
“These challenges are real. Pretending otherwise or twisting efforts to address them does not advance the interest of Urhobo Nation,” Dafinone stated.
The Delta Central Senator said his responsibility was to engage relevant authorities and ensure that the interests of the Urhobo people were protected.
“As the Senator representing Delta Central, my duty is to engage relevant authorities and ensure that the interests of the Urhobo Nation are protected; that is what I have done and continue to do,” he said.
Dafinone maintained that any decision regarding the future location of the project must be taken with due consideration for the economic interests of Urhobo Nation.
“My position is therefore straightforward: any decision concerning the future location of the project must not result in its removal from Urhobo land,” he said.
He, however, acknowledged that legitimate technical, environmental or land-related concerns could require adjustments to the project, stressing that such decisions must be reached through proper consultation.
The Senator said he would continue engaging the NCDMB, relevant federal authorities, community leaders and other stakeholders towards resolving the outstanding issues surrounding the proposed industrial gas park.
He described the project as a significant opportunity for investment, employment generation and industrial development in the region, urging stakeholders not to reduce the matter to political propaganda or a contest over who deserves credit.
“The overriding concern must be to protect the collective economic interest of Urhobo Nation,” Dafinone said.
He further dismissed insinuations that his engagement with relevant authorities was against the interests of the Urhobo people, describing such portrayals as false and without basis.
“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 said.
The clarification comes amid growing public interest in the proposed Industrial Gas Park and concerns over its location, ownership and potential economic benefits to the host communities and the wider Urhobo Nation.
