OGFZA is on Course to Achieve its Mandate, Says Sylva

Ejiofor Alike
The Chairman of the Governing Board of the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA), Mr. Timipre Sylva has commended the management of the agency for effective leadership.

Speaking during the inaugural meeting of the board of the agency at the Oil and Gas Free Zone, Onne, Rivers State, Sylva stated that the Managing Director of OGFZA, Mr. Umana Okon Umana, has demonstrated the right leadership in directing the affairs of the free zone regulator and in administering the oil and gas free zones under his control.
“Umana is leading OGFZA in the right direction,” he said.

Sylva outlined the vision and agenda for the new board, saying that “One of the things we would like to achieve is to be able to provide power in Onne”.
“We are engaging a group of investors that will build a turbine for the free zone; that would one of the things we would like to achieve before the end of the year,” he added.

The OGFZA chairman said efforts to improve the revenue position of the agency through effective IGR strategy would receive equal priority attention.
He added that his board would also do all that is necessary to resolve issues of conflict between the Nigeria Export Processing Authority (NEPZA) and OGFZA.

“That will take a lot of our attention because we are going to make sure that we resolve those issues of conflict,” Sylva added.
He said one of the board’s priority projects would be “to accelerate the take-off of the Brass Oil and Gas City”.

Sylva added that the BOG City “was approved and licensed as a free zone a long time ago,” adding that “we have to make sure that Brass Oil and Gas City becomes operational as soon as possible.”

While acknowledging that the governing board had little time in the face of so much to do, Sylva said the situation called for hard work and firm prioritization in project execution.

He said the task the board has set itself would be accomplished because of its high quality membership.
“I am very proud to be part of the board of such eminent Nigerians,” the OGFZA board chairman said. “We are all very seasoned people, very skilled people and it is easy for us to understand ourselves,” he said. Barr. Abdulwasiu is Secretary to the Board.