Stakeholders have expressed concern over sabotage in the Oil and Gas Export Free Zone Authority (OGEFZA), saying it may affect the economy by creating chaos among investors.
In a document made available to newsmen Wednesday in Abuja, they explained that the Oil and Gas Export Free Zone Act Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2010 (Act) unambiguously established Oil and Gas Export Free Zone Authority (OGEFZA) to manage and operate a designated Oil and Gas Export Free Zone at Onne/Ikpokiri area of Rivers state.
According to the stakeholders who pleaded anonymity said in the enactment of the Act, there has been no amendment to the Act by the National Assembly either by changing Oil and Gas Export Free Zone Authority to Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority.
They said despite the fact that the provisions of the Act have not been amended and the law still restricts the regulatory functions of OGEFZA to Onne/Ikpokiri area of Rivers State, the top Management of OGEFZA has continued to violate the express provisions of the Act by licensing other Free Zones like Brass Oil and Gas City, Warri Oil and Gas Free Zone, Eko Support Services etc which are located outside the designated Oil and Gas Export Free Zone at Onne/Ikpokiri area of Rivers State.
“The latest attempt by Management of OGEFZA is to surreptitiously take over the operations of some Free Zones already within the regulatory control of NEPZA without recourse to due process or any legislative amendment .
“OGEZFA wants the public to believe that it has the power and authority over other “Zones” apart from the only statutorily designated Export Free Zone area located in Onne/Ikpokiri area of Rivers state.
“The unlawful act is even evident from OGEFZA’s website: www.ogfza.gov.ng and its official correspondence,” they said.
