THE management of the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority, OGFZA, has commended Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State for his numerous efforts in attracting investors to the state which includes creating the right atmosphere for investment opportunities.

Umana Okon Umana, managing director and chief executive officer of the authority, made the commendation when he led other top officials to pay a courtesy call on the governor at the Government House in Yenagoa.

Umana while appreciating the governor for the positive change on the Bayelsa landscape since he assumed office noted that the kind disposition of his government in pro‎viding land and other logistic support for the development of the Brass Oil and Gas City further buttresses his‎ administration’s commitment to create jobs and boost the state’s economy.

He explained that the Brass Oil and Gas City project which has so far gulped three point five billion dollar investment is an oil and gas free zone that has already been licensed by OGFA and is a major commitment to the development of the region as well as a big step to improve the lives of people of the state and the Niger Delta.

“Abiding support of 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 State over the years. Ours is a life-long partnership”, Umana said.

The OGFA boss appeal 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.

Responding, Dickson assured the visitors 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 but 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.

He used the occasion to restate his view that Nigeria has been unfair to the Ijaw Nation and the Niger Delta as a whole despite the massive contribution which has sustained the country for many years and tasked 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.

—  May 18, 2017 @ 16:50 GMT