The Governor of Akwa Ibom state, Pastor Umo Eno and the management of the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA) have agreed to fast track development in the Free Trade Zones in the state.

Both parties reached the agreement when the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. John Ugochukwu Uwajumogu led the management of the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority, and SPFL Gas and Petroleum Sub-Zone, on a courtesy visit to the Governor on Tuesday, in, Uyo.

A statement by the Assistant General Manager, Corporate Communications, Mrs Golda Ukomadu said Uwajumogu, lauded the management of SPFL Gas and Petroleum Sub-Zone in Liberty Oil and Gas Free Zone, for the huge investment and rapid development so far in the Zone.

On his part, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of OGFZA, Sen. Tijjani Yahaya Kaura, on behalf of the Management and staff of OGFZA, disclosed that ongoing investments at Liberty Oil and Gas Free Zone is not less than 500 million USD which is speculated to hit $6 billion in the next six years and have generated about one thousand employment opportunities in the state.

Reiterating the Authority’s commitment to support the state government, Sen. Kaura who restated the Authority’s willingness to partner the State made a case for strengthening of the joint committee earlier constituted, to resolve all land related issues for the speedy take-off of the free zone project.

He informed the Governor that contract has been awarded for the building of an office accommodation in the zone as well as construction of the main access road leading to the office.

The Governor of the state Pastor Umo Eno, in his response to the delegation, commended President Tinubu for providing incentives for the realization of the Oil and Gas Free Zone in the state, stating that Mr. President’s unbiased approach to leadership indicates that development can be achieved irrespective of people’s differences.

Governor Eno acknowledged that License for the operation of the Oil and Gas Free Zone was awarded by the APC led- government and commended the delegation for keying into the vision of the federal government for development to thrive and enable the people to enjoy the dividends of democracy.

Eno commended the efforts of the management of OGFZA for establishing Authority’s office at the zone, saying it will attract more development as a result of the influx of investors and other companies.

He also emphasized on the need for further engagements in order to have a seamless working modalities for the smooth operation of the Free Zone.

Governor Eno assured the delegation of the preparedness of the state administration to partner with OGFZA towards the development of the Free Zone because the first beneficiary of the free zones is the state in which the zones are domiciled.

While emphasizing his desire to upscale the Victor Attah International airport, Gov. Eno solicited for the Authority’s partnership in the development of the Airport, and urged the Authority to facilitate the issuance of a Free Trade Zone licence for the airport to assist the Cargo and Airplanes in their services thereby fast-tracking development in the state as well as generating foreign exchange for the country.