The Finima community in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State has called on President Bola Tinubu to establish a special task force to address long-standing resettlement and compensation concerns linked to the Nigeria LNG (NLNG) project.
The appeal was made by the Amadabo of Finima, HRH Aseme Alabo Dagogo Lambert Brown, Kongo XVII, who also renewed demands for justice, recognition and full inclusion of Finima as a host community of the NLNG operations.
The monarch urged the President to intervene by setting up a dedicated task force “to address the outstanding resettlement issues and ensure the fulfilment of agreements entered into between the community and the project’s promoters.”
He made the call during a commemorative event marking the June 10 anniversary of the 2021 violent clash between Finima residents and neighbouring communities, which stemmed from grievances over alleged neglect by the Nigeria LNG Limited.
Describing the date as a painful reminder of the community’s sacrifices, the monarch said the anniversary has become a symbolic moment of reflection for Finima people and their role in Nigeria’s oil and gas development.
According to him, June 10 now serves as a permanent memorial highlighting unresolved issues surrounding displacement, resettlement failures and the loss of ancestral lands.
He further alleged that the Finima Resettlement Project has suffered neglect over time, despite existing agreements with project stakeholders.
The monarch listed several areas of concern, including poor waste management, lack of livelihood support such as cottage industries, inadequate rehabilitation of displaced persons and unresolved power supply challenges, including a proposed gas-powered plant.
Alabo Brown acknowledged that some infrastructure exists within the resettlement estate but maintained that many residents continue to live under difficult conditions due to incomplete implementation of agreed provisions.
He also referenced a court judgment reportedly delivered in favour of the community in relation to lease disputes involving NLNG, noting that while the company retains the right of appeal, it has yet to open meaningful dialogue with the community.
The monarch insisted that Finima, as the original land-owning community, deserves greater recognition and benefits from the NLNG project, given its contributions to the establishment of critical national infrastructure.
He further stated that recent court rulings had affirmed Finima’s status as a host community under relevant petroleum and local content laws.
According to him, key NLNG installations, including parts of its operational facilities and the Train 7 workers’ camp, are located on land originally provided by Finima.
The community urged the Federal Government to urgently intervene in order to prevent further tensions and ensure that longstanding grievances are addressed through structured dialogue and implementation of existing agreements.
Stakeholders in the area say resolving the dispute could help restore trust, improve community relations and ensure stability in one of Nigeria’s most strategic gas-producing zones.
