Stakeholders in the free economic zones have accused the Oil and Gas Export Free Zone Authority (OGEFZA), of sabotaging the federal government desire to diversify the economy by creating chaos among investors.

The stakeholders made the concern in a four-page document made available to newsmen recently in Abuja. They said the Oil and Gas Export Free Zone Act Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2010 clearly established Oil and Gas Export Free Zone Authority (OGEFZA) to manage and operate Onne/Ikpokiri Oil and Gas Export Free Zone of Rivers state without reference to other free zones .

According to the stakeholders, OGEFZA Act has not undergone any amendment by the National Assembly and the described the attempts as simply grabbing to increase its influence through the back door.

They said  “The latest attempt by Management of OGEFZA is to surreptitiously take over the operations of some Free Zones already within the regulatory control of NEPZA without recourse to due process or any legislative amendment .

“OGEZFA wants the public to believe that it has the power and authority over other “Zones” apart from the only statutorily designated Export Free Zone area located in Onne/Ikpokiri area of Rivers state. 

“The unlawful act is even evident from OGEFZA’s website: www.ogfza.gov.ng and its official correspondence,”. 

The stakeholders advices OGEFZA to approach the National Assembly to seek an amendment to the Act establishing it if it wishes to regulate other Free Zones like Brass Oil and Gas City, Warri Oil and Gas Free Zone, Eko Support Services etc which are located outside the designated Oil and Gas Export Free Zone at Onne/Ikpokiri area of Rivers State.

They urged the federal government to investigate the fraudulent misrepresentation of OGEFZA and it’s management to protect the investment of unsuspecting investors which is capable of bringing the name of the federal government into absolute disrepute thereby leading to attendant financial losses for stakeholders and the country in general