Jonathan in Warri, explains suspension of gas city project

President Goodluck Jonathan at the weekend paid an
unscheduled visit to Warri, Delta State, where he explained
why the ground breaking ceremony for the Delta Gas City
Project and the Export Free Zone was aborted.
Jonathan who had a private audience with the President of
the Christian Association of Nigera (CAN), Pastor Ayo
Oritsejafor, and in company of the Delta State Governor, Em­
manuel Uduaghan, paid courtesy call on the Olu of Warri,
Ogiame Atuwatse II.
The President told the Olu of Warri in the presence of his
chiefs that he had to put-off the ground breaking because of
the fear of outbreak of violence during the ceremony, which
would have frightened investors.
He said it was not put-off because he was afraid anything
was going to happen to him, adding that as a son of the Niger
Delta region, he can move freely in the zone without mo­
lestation.
Explaining that the ground breaking ceremony will not be done
before the elections next month, President Jonathan stated
that investors would have to be around for the ceremony,
noting that the concerned companies would be given enough
notice.
He, therefore, mandated the Delta State Governor to work
closely with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the
Presidency to get a suitable date before May 29, 2015.
Reacting to the President’s visit, the state Commissioner for
Information, Chike Ogeah commended the President for coming
personally to explain the circumstances that led to the
suspension of the ceremony.
Ogeah in a statement said the “state government is also
appreciative of the Olu’s understanding of the President’s
explanation and commitment to the project.