Oil & Gas Free Zone Authority lauds Dickson on investment drive

The  Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA) has commended Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa for his numerous efforts in attracting investors to the state.

OGFZA noted that the efforts include creating the right atmosphere for investment opportunities. 

Mr. Umana Okon Umana, Managing Director of the Authority, made the commendation during a courtesy call on the governor at the Government House in Yenagoa on Friday.

Umana noted that, in pro‎viding land and other logistic support for the development of the Brass Oil and Gas City further buttresses his‎ administration's commitment to creating jobs.

He explained that, the Brass Oil and Gas City project, which has so far gulped $3.5 billion investment, is an oil and gas free zone that has already been licensed by OGFZA.

 The project, Umana said is a major commitment to the development of the region as well as a big step to improve the lives of the people of the state and the Niger Delta.

"Abiding support of the government is needed to inspire and sustain the continuing confidence of the investment community.

“I want to acknowledge and appreciate the support and goodwill that OGFZA has enjoyed from Bayelsa over the years. Ours is a life-long partnership", Umana said.

Umana appealed to the governor to allocate a piece of land to the authority, backed with a certificate of occupancy, ‎which will enable it to have more capacity to effectively partner with investors. 

In his response, Dickson assured of the unflinching support of ‎his government to ensure that, their mandate is carried out and also gave his nod to their request for a land.

Dickson added that, officials of the authority and his economic team will work out the modalities.

The governor, who praised the Umana led OGFZA said, they are doing a good job of boosting the investment potentials of the Niger Delta region and called for greater collaboration by all stakeholders.

Dickson said that, Nigeria has been unfair to the Ijaw Nation and the Niger Delta, despite the massive contributions of the region, which has sustained the country for many years.

He urged leaders from the region to rededicate themselves to service.

"We as leaders in the region must re-dedicate ourselves to the service of our people to change the narrative of under-development in the region.

“Our leadership position should be a call to duty and more patriotism" he said.