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COUNCIL CHAIRMEN ALLEGEDLY HALT CONSTRUCTION OF FG’S N40B METHANOL PLANT PROJECT IN ENUGU
Construction of the federal government’s Renewed Hope Bio-Methanol Pilot Plant, valued at over N40 billion, has been allegedly brought to a halt in Akpugo, Enugu State, following actions reportedly led by the Chairmen of Nkanu West and Nkanu East Local Governments, Mr. John Ogbodo and Mr. Sidney Edeh.
The two council chairmen, accompanied by police officers, allegedly disrupted activities at the construction site over the weekend, detaining workers and seizing batteries from machinery essential for the plant’s installation.
These actions caused a significant delay in the project, which is the first of its kind in West Africa and was initiated under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for the Southeast region.
In a phone interview, Nkanu West Chairman John Ogbodo denied involvement, while Sidney Edeh of Nkanu East did not respond to inquiries.
Enugu Police Spokesman Daniel Ndukwe also stated that he was unaware of the incident.
However, a representative of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), a federal agency under the Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology, confirmed the disruption.
The ECN alleged that Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah ordered the arrests of the contractors working on the project.
The detained workers—Ambrose Edeh, Chibuike Edeh, Monday Nwodo, Obinna Samuel, Ebuka Chukwurah, Chibuike Okereke, and Maduabuchi Okoro—were reportedly first held at the RRS Government House in Enugu before being transferred to the State CID’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit.
Following intervention by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the detainees were released, though the reasons behind the council chairmen’s actions remain unclear.
The Renewed Hope Bio-Methanol Pilot Plant is a critical federal initiative aimed at advancing clean energy solutions and fostering regional development.
Stakeholders are calling for swift resolution to the conflict to ensure the project’s timely completion and the delivery of its benefits to the people of the Southeast.
