Rivers Govt Will Actively Support Train 7 of NLNG, Says Wike

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has declared that the state government would support  the Train 7 project of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited because of its potential to create about 15,000 jobs and enhance  the economy of the state.

Wike said Rivers people are happy that the Train 7 of the NLNG would  soon come on stream because  it is key to the growth of the state.

Wike stated this at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday during  a courtesy visit by the management of the NLNG.

According to him, "The Train 7 is very important to the development of Rivers State.  We are glad that it will soon take off. I am happy with  the  quantum of jobs that the Train 7 will create in the state.

"However, these jobs should not be  cleaners and unskilled workers.  I want the NLNG to ensure that qualified Rivers people are employed when the Train 7 comes on stream.”

The governor stated that the government and people of state would support the successful take off of the Train 7.

He commended the management of the NLNG for initiating the Community Health Insurance Scheme for Bonny Island, saying the state government will partner the company to achieve the objectives of the programme.

On the project initiated by the NLNG  to supply cooking gas directly to the state,  instead of passing through Lagos, Wike assured the company that the River State Government would dredge the Iwofe waterway  for that purpose.

"I will only support companies that mean well for the people of the state. My business is to do good for our people to improve their lives.

"Other companies should emulate what NLNG is  doing in Rivers State.  On behalf of the people of the state, I commend NLNG," he said.

Wike also commended the NLNG for establishing their headquarters in the state and also working to eradicate malaria.

Earlier, the Managing Director of NLNG, Tony Attah, prayed that the second  term  of Wike would be more rewarding  for the people of the state. He thanked the governor for his contributions to the development of NLNG.

He stated that the NLNG was set to kick off the Train 7 of the company, where the company is expected to spend between $6 billion and $7 billion on investment.

"The employment side of the Train 7 is that it will create about 10 to 15 thousand jobs for the people of the state. It will also build the skills and capacity of the people. The final investment decision will be taken in October," he said.

Attah informed the governor that NLNG had worked out the modalities to ensure  that cooking  gas is delivered to Rivers State instead of being routed through  Lagos. He appealed to the state governor to assist in realising the project by dredging the Iwofe waterway.