The interest of American multi national oil company - ExxonMobil in the proposed Akwa Ibom State Government owned Liberty Oil and Gas Free Zone in Ikot Abasi is giving other foreign direct investors renewed confidence to invest in the gulf guinea.
Over the years, the oil and gas free zones in Nigeria have attracted more than $20 billion in investments and created about 200,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Also the zones has enhanced local content capacity by the transfer of skills and technology in the oil and gas sector to Nigerian youths.
Mr. Ufot Ebong who is the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Udom Emmanuel on Technical matters and Due process clearly indicates ExxonMobil requests for a dedicated oil and gas terminal in the proposed free trade zone when becomes operational.
On cases of property owners within the area acquired by government for the construction of the free zone, he assured that all concerns would be addressed either through integration into the project or relocation from the project site.
The technical boss further revealed the transparent ethical process by the Governor Udom led administration in engaging the professional services of Pricewater house cooper for outsourcing discerning foreign investors to the highly profitable investment opportunities the free zone has to offer.
He disclosed this in a strategic review meeting held in Uyo with the Joint Implementation Committee of Liberty Oil and Gas Free Zone and the management of Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA) led by Mr. Umana Okon Umana when visited Akwa Ibom State on a working visit.
The Managing Director of OGFZA expressed his delight at the State Government effort of securing a licence and remarkable speed in the project implementation process since his last visit to Governor Udom on 2nd January 2017 at the conceptual stage of establishing an oil and gas free zone in the State.
He also applauded the ethical public relations strategy being deployed to woo investors to the enormous investment opportunities in the construction and operations of the free zone.
Mr. Gabriel Ukpe who is the Special Adviser to the Governor on Foreign Direct Investment and also the Chairman of the Joint Implementation Committee of the Liberty Oil and Gas Free Zone gave a run down feasibility report at the review meeting.
He indicated timelines for key paper work requirements on the project and gave needs analysis of area survey with completion of a temporary access road linking the 50,000 hectare project site.
The FDI boss further said consultations are ongoing with the host communities across the boundaries of Akwa Ibom State and neighbouring State before dredging the project is site for shipping logistic.
He announced 2nd May 2017 as deadline for concluding all paper work required for the licensing of the free zone, while third week of April is scheduled for site inspection by the licensing authority and OGFZA.
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