The Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA) has said that it was ready to collaborate with the Rivers State government towards the development of Ikpokiri Island, a green field with latent potential for wealth and job creation.
This is as the State governor, Siminalaye Fubara, said he wondered why OGFZA was not worried about the poor state of the East-West Road that has caused untold hardships to motorists, especially as heavy trucks from the Agency’s operations contribute to the dilapidated state of the road.
OGFZA Managing Director, Senator Tijjani Kaura, spoke on Thursday when he led a team of the Authority’s management on a courtesy call on Governor Fubara at the Government House, Port Harcourt.
Kaura revealed the myriad of opportunities available at the Ikpokiri Island, being a green field virgin land without much development since it was declared a free zone in 1996.
He said: “If the state government would take advantage of the area to support OGFZA in the development effort, Ikpokiri would become another modern city in the State.”
The OGFZA boss disclosed that foreign investors from Japan have already indicated interest in investing in the Island.
Kaura added: “Partnering with OGFZA towards the development of Ikpokiri Island is critical and beneficial to promote investment and economic development for creating wealth and employment opportunities for Rivers State and Nigeria by extension.”
Responding, Rivers State governor, Fubara, however, said the level of relationship that should exist between the State and OGFZA concerning the Onne Free Zone and the Ikpokiri Green Island will be devoid of charity gestures.
Fubara stated that while his administration will leave no stone unturned in creating the right business environment for all investors, issues concerning the development of structures and full utilisation of the Ikpokiri Green Land in the Ogu/Bolo local government area of the State will be seen from how it will benefit the state directly.
The governor stated: “We are only remembered when there is a need to explore from Rivers State. Oil and Gas Free Zone Onne has never and is not contributing to the welfare of this state.
“We all have to sit down and look at things properly, it is no longer charity, because this time around, we mean business.”
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