OGFZA pledges to make Eko Support Free Zone fully functional

Managing Director of Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA), Mr. Umana Okon Umana (middle), General Manager, Eko Support Group, Seni Edu (left) and OGFZA’s Head, Legal Department, W. Sule, during his visit to Eko Support Service in Lagos

The Managing Director of Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA), Mr. Umana Okon Umana, has pledged to establish a structure to make Eko Support Services Limited to be functional.

Umana, who disclosed this in Lagos, said the structure would enable it to enjoy the benefits of an oil and gas free zone, in line with OGFZA’s establishment Act of 1996.

He said the plan, which is in line with the Federal Government Executive Order on the ease of doing business, would empower it to adopt a standard operating procedure, similar to that of Onne Free Zone.

Umana told the management team of Eko Support Services, led by the General Manager, Seni Edu that the plan was important to make the licence granted to it to be well utilised.

He said: “We have a model in Onne that is working, which we would adapt and even improve upon to run the system,” for the benefits of the operator, clients and government.

Umana explained that OGFZA would interface with government for the operator and investors in the area of taxes, immigration, customs, security and other regulatory issues.

He added that the structure would be a one-stop shop platform to enhance the ease of doing business in the zone. The general manager of the Eko zone cited a number of issues that he wanted OGFZA to consider, which include space constraint and policy direction.

Umana acknowledged that the Eko free zone needed more space to optimise its operations, adding that the space constraint challenge could be overcome by creating a sub-zone for it.

He added that whatever challenge there was in that regard would be looked into at the ongoing review of regulatory agencies’ laws at the National Assembly.

“We are determined to make sure that our free zones succeed. We will raise a committee to work with you and make sure that all parties benefit and perform their roles,” he said.