Brass LNG project ready to takeoff as Bayelsa resolves lingering land dispute

Bayelsa State government has announced a major breakthrough in efforts to ensure the take off of the multi-million naira Brass Liquefied Natural Gas project on Brass Island, saying it has finally resolved the lingering dispute over the ownership of the site for the proposed project.

The proposed project site has been in dispute among Okpoama, Twon-Brass and Ewoama communities all on Brass Island, Brass Local Government Area of the state.

Kemasuode Wodu, attorney-general and commissioner for justice, Bayelsa State, said during a call on him by Giovanni Romani, managing director of Brass LNG in Yenagoa, on Wednesday, that the state government intervened in the dispute raising hope of take off of the project in the near future.

He disclosed that a three-member committee comprising the ministries of lands and housing; trade, industry and investment and the deputy managing director of Bayelsa Development and Investment Corporation (BDIC) resolved the issue.

The state government set up the committee during a state executive council (SEC) meeting to intervene in the dispute due to the economic importance of the project.

Wodu said, “The resolution of the land issues was fair to all concerned including the communities. As a state, we expect the company to also consider, in line with the Act, ratio of employment to the state and the communities. We have qualified people and have lifted our manpower development.”