- Enugu lawmaker Okechukwu Mbah revealed that the state’s halt of the Biomass-Based Methanol Plant project was due to a land dispute and lack of consultation with local communities.
- Mbah criticized Minister Uche Nnaji for failing to conduct due diligence, including an Environmental Impact Assessment, before siting the project in the disputed area.
Okechukwu Mbah, the lawmaker representing Nkanu East in the Enugu State House of Assembly, has revealed the reasons behind the state’s decision to stop the construction of the Biomass-Based Methanol Plant by the Energy Commission of Nigeria. Mbah accused the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Uche Nnaji, of attempting to disguise a land grab under the guise of the federal project, which was opposed by the Amanguze community in Nkanu East.
Mbah claimed that Nnaji had initially purchased a parcel of land for personal business before proposing the government-backed project, which would encroach on land disputed between the Amanguze community in Nkanu East and the Akpugo community in Nkanu West. This move led to resistance from the Amanguze community, prompting the Enugu State government to intervene and halt the construction.
The Energy Commission of Nigeria had previously expressed outrage over the arrest of its workers by police at the construction site. The arrests occurred during a police operation at the site of the multi-billion-naira Renewed Hope Bio-Methanol Pilot Plant in Nkanu West, with the commission accusing the Enugu State Government of orchestrating the detentions.
Mbah criticized Nnaji for failing to consult with the relevant local governments or communities before situating the project on Amanguze land, which he claims rightfully belongs to the Akpugo community. He urged President Bola Tinubu to investigate the matter and take action against Nnaji. Additionally, Mbah pointed out the lack of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the project and emphasized that proper due process should be followed for such a significant initiative.
The lawmaker also called for intervention from the Enugu State Boundary Committee to address the ongoing land dispute between the two communities and prevent further conflict.