Claims made by Kogi Central Lawmaker, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan that she was removed from her position as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content due to her influence in the siting of Five Mini LNG Plants in Ajaokuta, Kogi State has been described as completely false.

The clarification was made by the Senate through the Chairman of its Committee on Gas, Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe in a press statement personally signed by the Senator in Abuja on Sunday..

Jarigbe dismissed the Claims following the backdrop of the dramatic face-off between the female Lawmaker and Senate President Akpabio on the floor of the Senate during Thursday’s plenary over the change of her sitting position which the Lawmaker vehemently protested against.

Natasha who later spoke on Friday during a telephone interview on a live human rights radio show, popularly known as ‘Brekete Family’ on Human Rights Radio in Abuja among other claims alleged that she was removed as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content due to her influence in siting of Five Mini LNG Plants in Ajaokuta, Kogi State.

However, reacting to the news reports generated by the Lawmaker’s statements on Radio, Jarigbe described Natasha’s statement as completely false and baseless.

The Gas Committee Chairman stated that contrary to Natasha’s claim, neither herself nor the entire Senate including the Federal Government’s Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) had any influence in the setting up of the aforementioned Gas Plants in Ajaokuta, Kogi State.

According to Jarigbe the five Mini LNG Plants in question Prime LNG, NGML/Gasnexus LNG, BUA LNG, Highland LNG, and LNG Arete are private sector-driven initiatives and are not Federal Government projects.

Jarigbe added that the decision to locate the LNG plants was solely decided by the Private Investors after they carefully assessed the economic viability, availability of a gas pipeline, and access to Gas for the effective functioning of the Plants.

He described the misconception that the siting of these projects in Ajaokuta was done at the behest of Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan as completely erroneous and unfounded.

Furthermore, Jarigbe explained that though Natasha was invited to the project’s engagements, her invite was not different from other members of the National Assembly and their presence regardless of their positions had in no way indicated undue influence in the siting of the projects.

The statement read partly;

“The claim that her role or involvement in the siting of the LNG plants played a part in her replacement is categorically incorrect.

“As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Gas, I have received numerous inquiries from concerned Nigerians questioning why Ajaokuta was selected as the site for these Plants.

“Private investors make decisions based on the profitability and sustainability of their investments, not political affiliations or considerations.

Urging his colleagues to be of good conduct, Jarigbe also reminded that immunity being enjoyed by the Senators ends within the confines of the Senate Chambers

He said;

“There is no protection or immunity outside the Chamber, and we must exercise restraint and circumspection in our speeches and actions.

“Our behavior and words must reflect the dignity and responsibility vested in us by the people of Nigeria. The Law does not provide immunity for a Senator who defames anyone.

“Finally, I urge my distinguished colleagues to review and adhere to the Senate Standing Orders and to conduct ourselves in a manner that upholds the sanctity of the Senate and the high office we hold.