The Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA) has reassured host communities of its free zone locations around the country of protecting their interests in the course of the authority achieving its set objectives.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of OGFZA, Tijjani Kaura gave this assurance on Monday, August 29, 2022 during a courtesy visit to the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel at Government House, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

A statement signed by the Assistant General Manager, Corporate Communications, OGFZA, Golda Ukomadu, disclosed that the visit was part of Kaura’s administration’s ongoing consultations and familiarization efforts with various Oil and Gas Free Zones and its host communities in Nigeria.

Tijjani Kaura, who prior to his current position was the Senator representing Zamfara North in the National Assembly, said he was visiting to seek for the Governor’s support in actualizing the maximum productivity level of the Liberty Oil and Gas Free Zone.

Liberty Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone, which is located in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, began operations in may 2021 with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Akwa Ibom State Government (AKSG) and the Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority (OGFZA).

Commending Governor Udom for his contributions and investment towards the actualization of the Liberty Oil and Gas Free Zone in the State, Senator Kaura described the project as critical to the economic viability of the State given its potential to attract over $22 billion and employ over 100,000 Nigerian youths.

The OGFZA boss further stated that the Liberty Oil and Gas Free Zone was strategically located and on completion would be the largest in the country, appealing for a state-based agency to interface with OGFZA in order to achieve the goals of Free Zone.

He also solicited for state government’s intervention in building basic infrastructure to enhance synergy with OGFZA and harmonizing interests of host communities and other stakeholders in the project.

Responding, Governor Udom Emmanuel expressed excitement over the visit, promising to collaborate with the OGFZA to achieve its full potential in Akwa Ibom State.

The Governor seized the opportunity to make a case for his state to be given pride of place in the allotment of accrued benefits of the nation’s petroleum sector, considering her enormous stakes and contributions to the nation’s economy vis-a-vis the oil and gas sector.

The Akwa Ibom State Governor explained that his administration’s cardinal programmes have been anchored on developing the three major gateways of air, land and water transportation, asserting that the state, presently, can boast of a dualized thoroughfare from the state capital to the Atlantic Ocean, with about 24km dualized bypass to the East West Road from the centre of the state, while planning a major coastal highway to the upcoming deep seaport.