Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority has called for the support and collaboration of host communities for peace and security, in order to enable investors and businesses to thrive in the free zones.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of OGFZA, Sen. Tijjani Yahaya Kaura, explained that lack of adequate security was one of the major inhibiting factors for investors in the free zones.
Kaura spoke during his visit to the Oneh Eh Eleme, HRM Dr. Philip Osaro Obele, and the Eleme Council of Chiefs, where he discussed issues of mutual benefits between OGFZA and the host communities, as part of his ongoing efforts to promote progress and advancement in the country’s Oil and Gas Free Zones.
According to him, the visit was imperative to acquaint himself with the King and kingdom of Eleme – OGFZA host community- in order to solicit the support of the kingdom for the Authority and investors operating in the Free Zones.
He appealed to the monarch and the Eleme Council of Chiefs to encourage the youths to continually embrace peace while assuring them of his commitment to promote the development of the host communities.
He also expressed concern over the mass exodus of investors from the country due to lack of adequate security, peace and high cost of doing business in Nigeria.
Responding, the Oneh Eh Eleme XI, HRM Dr. Philip Osaro Obele, commended the OGFZA boss for the visit which he described as historic, as there has been no such visit from the Authority in over 40years, describing Sen. Kaura as a respecter of traditional institutions.
Obele who showered encomiums and prayers on the OGFZA boss, congratulated him for his appointment by the Federal Government and tasked him to use his wealth of experience as a former lawmaker towards the advancement of the Authority and its host communities.
Explaining the structure of Eleme kingdom, the monarch said the kingdom comprises of ten clans namely, Ogale, Agbonchia, Aleto Alesa, Alode, Ebubu, Akpajo, Eteo, Ekporo and Onne, all of which play host to national and multinational firms including OGFZA, Intels, Onne seaport, Notore industrial hub, Indorama-Eleme Petrochemicals Ltd., Port Harcourt Refinery, Naval College, etc.
He further tasked the OGFZA boss to use his influence and antecedent to ensure rehabilitation of the deplorable section of Eleme axis of the East-West Road which is the major gate-way into the pil and gas free zones.
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