President Jonathan, who explained that it will not be possible to do the ground breaking before the elections because the investors have to be around for the ceremony after the companies are duly notified, therefore mandated the Delta State Governor to work closely with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Presidency to get a suitable date before 29th May, 2015.
The President stated this on Friday, January 23, 2015, when he paid an unscheduled visit to Warri, Delta State.
During the visit, he had a private audience with the President of the Christian Association of Nigera (CAN), Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, and in company of the Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, paid a courtesy call on the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II.
A Press statement issued by Delta State Information Commissioner, Barr. Chike Ogeah and made available to Blank NEWS Online, indicated that President Jonathan, also took the opportunity of the visit to explain the circumstances surrounding the aborted ground breaking for the Delta Gas City project and the Export Free Zone (EPZ).
The President had explained to the Olu in the presence of his Chiefs that he had to put off the ground breaking because of the fear of outbreak of violence after the ceremony which would have frightened investors.
According to the statement, “Mr President said it was not put off because he was afraid anything was going to happen to him. As a son of the Niger – Delta, he said he is aware that he can move freely in the zone without molestation.”
The Delta State Government however, expressed appreciation to President Jonathan for the personal visit to the Olu which also gave him the opportunity to explain to the royal father and the Itsekiri people issues around the ground breaking ceremony of the project.
While also commending the Olu’s understanding of Mr. President’s explanation and commitment to the project, the Delta State Government therefore appealed to groups and individuals to desist from politicizing the ground breaking ceremony, insisting that the state was committed to the success of the project. 
