Publisher of Nigeria’s leading online daily newspaper News Express, Mr. Isaac Umunna, has warned against the proposed amendment of the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) Act by the National Assembly. He gave the warning on Tuesday in Lagos during a courtesy call on the General Manager External Relations, NLNG Limited, Dr. Kudo Eresia-Eke.

“I wish to call on the National Assembly to abandon the proposed amendment of the NLNG Act as it would not only attract heavy penalty on Nigeria but would also scare potential foreign investors,” Umunna said.

He also spoke against the contemplated sale of Nigeria’s shares in the NLNG by the Federal Government, saying: “The NLNG is Nigeria’s prized jewel. It has in the past several years made monumental positive impact on the country’s economy through revenue generation, tax returns and unrivalled CSR schemes. You do not change a winning formula. The government should leave NLNG alone and look elsewhere for money with which to get the country out of the economic recession.”

Umunna praised the seamless change of guards at NLNG, where Tony Attah recently succeeded Babs Omotowa as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. “We are confident that the new NLNG led by Tony Attah’s will consolidate on the gains of the Omotowa era and take NLNG to higher heights. We are confident that under Mr. Attah’s watch, NLNG will complete and make Train 7 operational,” he further said.

Responding, Dr. Eresia-Eke thanked News Express for the visit and praised the paper for being an industry leader. “We are very proud of you and what you are doing,” he said.

The NLNG GM External Relations used the opportunity to highlight the CSR programmes of the company, explaining that they are informed by NLNG’s desire to make Nigeria a better society.

The News Express delegation included Assistant Editor Amechi Obiakpu, Associate Editor Theresa Moses and Head of Operations Hope Umunna. NLNG Head, Media Relations Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku accompanied Dr. Eresia-Eke to the meeting.

•Photo shows News Express Publisher Isaac Umunna speaking during the visit . . . Tuesday in Lagos.

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