Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has assured that his administration will cooperate fully with the new management of the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA) to quicken the realisation of the Liberty Oil and Gas Free Zone project in the state.
The State Chief Executive gave the assurance while playing host to a delegation of OGFZA management led by the MD/Chief Executive Officer, Bamanga Usman Jada, at Government House, Uyo.
In a demonstration of his commitment, the governor presented a one-stop technical committee of the Akwa Ibom State Government to liaise with the federal agency while thanking the MD/CEO for making time to meet with the state’s team and showing understanding with the new administration.
He expressed confidence in the committee’s composition to deliver on the state’s Liberty Oil and Gas Free Zone project given the multiplier of economic benefits it holds for the people of the state, including foreign direct investment and job creation.
The Committee is made up of the Secretary to State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, as Chairman, the Managing Director of Akwa Ibom Investment Corporation, AKICORP, Pastor Imo-Abasi Jacob, Commissioner for Lands, Captain Iniobong Ekong (Retd), Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Dr. John James Etim, as well as the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom (SAN), as members.
Other members of the committee include the Commissioner for Economic Development, Mr. Emem Bob; the State Surveyor-General, Mrs. Emem Isang; the Commissioner for Internal Security and Waterways, General Koko Essien (Retd.); the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties, Barr. Morgan Ekanem; and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Information and Communications Technology, ICT, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong.
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The MD/CEO, Bamanga Usman Jada, explained in a quick recap of the mandate of the agency that OGFZA is a Federal Government regulatory body saddled with the responsibility of developing and managing investments within the nation’s Oil and Gas Free Zones, stressing that Akwa Ibom State, with her contribution of over 31 percent of the nation’s oil output, remains critical to national development.
Jada further explained that investing in the Akwa Ibom Oil and Gas Free Zone falls within President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s governance goals of spreading development across the nation and accelerating economic growth through industrialization.
He commended Governor Eno for his passion for development, adding that with investors queuing for business in the state’s oil and gas-free zone, Akwa Ibom State stands to benefit maximally within the next few years.
