Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo today hosted the leadership of 3W Alliance Limited led by its Chairman, Dr. Umaru Mutallab, and the Managing Director of Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority (OGFZA), Mr. Bamanga Usman Jada.

During the meeting, Ekpo granted approval for both establishments to collaborate to develop international industrial parks across the six geo-political zones in Nigeria, with a REFERENCE MODEL to be set up at the Liberty Free Trade Zone in Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State with an on-site power and water supply, natural gas pipelines, internal connecting roads, rentable warehouses, residential estates, among others.

The Ikot Abasi industrial park is to be powered by natural gas and would attract lots of medium scale investors, with massive job opportunities for youths in the country.

The Gas Minister expressed his appreciation to 3W Alliance for the trust in investing in Nigeria, and also commended the Managing Director of the Oil & Gas Free Zone Authority for providing the company with the necessary space and support to build their industrial park.

Ekpo underscored the core objective of his office, which is to attract and facilitate gas-based investments in Nigeria, even as he assured foreign partners and financiers of the industrial park project of the safety and security of their investments in Nigeria.

The Minister promised to provide all the necessary support from the ministry and regulatory agencies to ensure the project’s success, beginning with the Ikot Abasi project.

Speaking against the backdrop of protests against hardship in the country, Ekpo enjoined the delegation and well-meaning Nigerians to be patient and to support ongoing efforts by President Bola Tinubu to resuscitate the economy.

He said the President is working hard to ensure that the nation comes out of the various socio-economic challenges facing the populace.

He said investments can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace and security and not violence and war.

Said Ekpo: “We met Nigeria at a bleeding point, but I want to state that there are so many reforms that are going on in the country, all geared towards making Nigeria a better place for all of us  tomorrow. We should be peaceful and shun violent protests. What we need is investments that create jobs. Let us encourage the President and give him the chance, and also give investors the chance to come in and invest and create the jobs for our citizens.”

Signed

Louis Ibah

Spokesman for the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas).

July 31, 2024.