The Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun O. Aganga has lauded the fast growth that is taking place in Onne Oil & Gas Free Zone, Rivers State, and commended the effort of Innoson Group for the impact its making in the automobile sector of the economy.
Aganga, who made the commendation at the opening ceremony of the Nigeria Oil & Gas Trade and Investment Forum, 2013 at the Oil & Gas free zone Onne, said that Nigeria in few years ahead will be a safe haven where business and money will be, and become impossible for anyone to leave.
Also speaking, Sir Dr. Enoch A. Iwueze, Managing Director of Air Sea Freighters Ltd; commended the Federal Government for providing a platform to sensitize Nigerians on the workings in the Oil & Gas Industry. He added that it was important for the players to see what was going on in the Industry, especially to him that offers services to the Oil & Gas operations in the free zone.
He lauded Federal Government for the summit, adding that it has afforded Nigerians with the technical know-how to compete with their foreign counterparts. Iwueze, opined that Nigeria will get to the expected destination with gradual development in the Oil & Gas sector.
Dr. Enoch, however, charged Nigerians in the Maritime Industry to make use of the cabotage law, which has provided the opportunity for Nigerians to own and operate vessels, unlike the time it was monopolized by foreigners, adding that the use and servicing of the vessels here in Nigeria, will provide more opportunities for Nigerians, he added.
In the same vein, Chief Ifeanyi Isikaku, Managing Director of Godify Towers Nig. Ltd., said he was at the forum to see how he could partner with operators at the free zone, as a player in the oil and Gas business. While commending the Federal Government for ensuring that all other sectors are touched, he blamed underdevelopment of Nigeria on government’s inability to ensure that things were done the proper way, since the discovery of oil in the last 30 years.
Chief Onwa, was optimistic that the cutting of some excesses by the government of President Goodluck Jonathan will go a long way to re-write some of the wrongs in the country.
Responding also, Mr. Innocent Ogbuji, Senior Commercial Manager, West Africa Container Terminal (WACT), emphasized that they are terminal operators with the duty of receiving containers from vessels and keep them in their custody until clients fulfill all obligations or functions with Customs and their charges paid before their containers are released.
He described WACT as a company that has impacted so much to its immediate host community by providing scholarships, water, provision of jobs for about 60% Niger Deltans in their workforce that are being trained locally and outside the country and in good relationship with partners.
While Prince Philemon Ado, one of the contractors to Property Development Company PRODECO, expressed that they are trying to ensure that unemployment is reduced, and to see that there is transparency in the activities of operators in the free zone.
He blamed those representing the masses of Nigeria at different levels of government for improper representation of the people, but rather enriching themselves, causing unemployment and underdevelopment in the country.
Ado, expressed gratitude at the level of development that is taking place at the Oil and Gas free zone area, that is domiciled in Rivers State.
Blaise Elumezie
