Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority, OGFZA, has announced plans to provide independent power supply from renewable green energy in the free zones, thereby improving the business environment devoid of pollution for investors.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of OGFZA, Sen. Tijjani Kaura, who made announcement at the commemoration of the 2023 World Environment Day in Onne, Rivers State, affirmed that renewable energy was key to a better conducive environment for business to thrive in the free zones.
Kaura assured of his commitment towards promoting sustainable development and renewable energy sources, stating that the Authority will continue to improve on its safety measures, encourage the setting up of Green Industrial parks and eco-friendly industrial practices within the Free Zones to make Nigeria a healthier place and the world at large.
“The Authority is in the process of providing independent power to ensure availability of green energy in the free zones thereby improving the business environment devoid of pollution for investors in the free zones.”
The OGFZA boss also tasked staff of the Authority on the need to increase their role in reduction and prevention of environmental hazards and pollution within the Free Zones.
Emphasizing on the importance of environmental safety in the Free Zones, he disclosed that the Authority created HSE Department, fully dedicated to the sensitization and prevention of environmental issues within the Free Zones.
According to him, one of the most important requisites for issuing a Free Zone Licence to any company or investor, was the conduct and submission of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report.
“The health and safety of the environment is equally the health and safety of OGFZA staff, and that of the immediate communities surrounding the Free Zones.
“Over the years, OGFZA’s HSE Department has always checkmated other forms of environmental pollution especially from companies and industrial parks within our Free Zones, a role which the department has played effectively in line with International Best practices.
“The Oil and Gas Free Zone in Onne remains one of the most environment-friendly Free Zones in the continent, with zero pollution or hazard in over two decades now.”
On the solution for plastic pollution, which was the theme of the 2023 World Environment Day, the OGFZA boss recommended the reduction in the use of plastics, stating that it takes about 400 years for plastics to decompose.
For his part, the guest speaker, Chinedu Anyanwu, in his presentation on “Impact of Plastic Bottle Pollution” lamented that plastic pollution has become a pressing global issue, posing significant environmental challenges and detrimental impacts on ecosystems and humans.
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