The Energy Commission of Nigeria has accused the Enugu State government of orchestrating the arrest of workers at the construction site of the multi-billion Naira “Renewed Hope” Bio-Methanol Pilot Plant in Akure, Nkanu West Local Government Area.
The plant, worth over N40 billion, is described as the first of its kind in West Africa and a major federal initiative aimed at transforming Nigeria’s industrial sector.
Addressing journalists in Enugu on Sunday, Mr. E. Okeke, an official of the Energy Commission, revealed thatseven construction workers were arrested on Friday, halting progress on the site. He alleged that the arrests were carried out on the orders of the Enugu State governor, Peter Mbah.
“The police, following the alleged directives of Governor Peter Mbah, stormed the site with the chairmen of Nkanu East and Nkanu West Local Government Areas and arrested seven construction workers,” Okeke stated.
He disclosed that the arrested workers—Ambrose Edeh, Chibuike Edeh, Monday Nwodo, Obinna Samuel, Ebuka Chukwurah, Chibuike Okereke, and Maduabuchi Okoro—were first detained at the RRS office in the Enugu Government House, then transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit at Independence Layout, and later moved to the State CID at midnight.
Okeke added, “The police officers also removed the batteries from the earth-moving machines at the site to stall construction activities.”
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Efforts by senior federal officials to secure the release of the detained workers initially proved unsuccessful. However, Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun reportedly intervened and ordered their immediate release.
The bio-methanol plant, which was initiated under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, was specifically sited in Nkanu land, the hometown of both Governor Mbah and Uche Nnaji, the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology. Community leaders have expressed anger over the disruption, stating that the land for the project was willingly donated to the federal government.
Displaying documentation supporting the land donation, local leaders criticized the state government for attempting to frustrate the project. “Nkanu leaders are angry with the state government for trying to hinder federal investments that could transform our land,” one community elder said.
Chief John Ogbodo, a respected elder in the community, alleged that the disruption was politically motivated. He pointed to the involvement of Uche Nnaji, who contested the 2023 Enugu State governorship election under the All Progressives Congress (APC), as a potential factor.
“It is obvious this action by the state government is politically motivated because the methanol project was attracted by Chief Uche Nnaji,” Ogbodo said.
The “Renewed Hope” Methanol Pilot Plant is one of the most significant projects in the South-East under Tinubu’s administration. It is expected to meet industrial needs across Nigeria and Africa, while creating thousands of jobs for Enugu youths.
In addition to the methanol plant, a N60 billion Solar PV project, also brought to the area by Minister Uche Nnaji, aims to produce solar panels and further bolster the local economy. Together, these projects are anticipated to transform the economic landscape of Enugu State and the broader South-East region.
Community elders accused the state government of attempting to sabotage the projects out of fear of their political and economic implications ahead of the 2027 elections. “The impact of these projects could reshape Enugu State, and some people in power are jittery about that possibility,” one elder remarked.
The federal government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the successful completion of the methanol project, despite the setbacks.