Amaechi, Aganga reveal secrets of oil/gas free zone success

Minister of trade and investment, Olusegun Aganga and Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State Thursday pointed at the 126-company strong Onne Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone near Port Harcourt as evidence of good initiative anchored on the private sector. Both leaders gave reasons for the roaring success story of the unique free zone, which is the major entry point of oil equipment into Nigeria.

Amaechi particularly attributed security and harmony as the reason why the free zone had continued to attract many more companies, and therefore called on investors to ensure optimum utilisation of investment opportunities in the state to promote maximum economic growth in the country.

Amaechi and Aganga spoke with newsmen at the Nigeria Oil and Gas Trade and Investment Forum 2013 held at the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone in Port Harcourt. He said investment in the oil and gas free zone over the years had been successful due to the existing peaceful conducive business climate put in place by his administration.

He said: “I charge investors to take advantage of the peaceful investment and conducive business climate put in place by my administration.”

The governor also commended operators of the Onne Oil and Gas free zone for their wider consultation and satisfactory investment performance towards improving and developing Nigeria’s oil and Gas industry. “I think the operators of the Oil and Gas Free Zone are doing well in terms of capturing and integrating investors in the development of Nigeria’s Oil and Gas industry”.

The governor further thanked investors in the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone for sustaining their cordial business relationship to achieve desired results.

Also speaking, the lead paper presenter, Aganga said, the genuineness and sincerity of purpose by the Federal Government’s commitment and political will to enthrone the private sector as the main driver of growth for the national economy is strategic with the nation’s industrial policy.