The Minister of Petroleum (Gas) Ekperikpe Ekpo has expressed his utmost pleasure in hosting the leadership of 3W Alliance Limited, led by Chairman Dr. Umaru Mutallab, along with the Managing Director of the Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority (OGFZA), Mr. Bamanga Usman Jada in his Office.

According to the information he made available on his X handle, The Honorable disclosed that the discussions with his august guests were centered around their ambitious plans to develop international industrial parks in each of Nigeria’s six geo-political zones.

A pilot project which is set to commence at the Liberty Free Trade Zone in Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State, will be equipped with modern state-of-art emission free facilities which include: On-site power and water supply, natural gas pipelines, internal roads, rentable warehouses, and residential estates.

The park is to be powered by natural gas and is expected to boost the economic activities of the region by attracting medium-scale investors and create substantial job opportunities for the youths in the region.

Citing the importance of the project presently to the oil and gas industry and prospective economic values this will attract to region, the Minister expressed its urgency by granting express ministerial approval and support to the project.

“I deeply appreciate 3W Alliance for their trust in Nigeria, and I commend the OGFZA for providing the necessary space and support. My office is committed to attracting and facilitating gas-based investments, and I assure our foreign partners that their investments in Nigeria are safe and secure, “Ekperikpe said.

 I have granted immediate approval for this project to move forward. The Ministry and regulatory agencies will provide all necessary support to ensure its success, starting with the Ikot Abasi industrial park,” He added.

In response to the recent protests, the Minister seized the opportunity of this visit to tender his unalloyed appeal to the organizers of the ongoing national protest to retract their plans as the present administration of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu is poised to attend to all demands as presented by the protesters.

“I urge all Nigerians to remain patient and supportive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts to revive our economy. Protests will only set us back. The President has initiated significant reforms to attract investment and create jobs, and it is crucial that we give him and these initiatives the opportunity to succeed. We must remain peaceful and united in our quest to build a better Nigeria for all,” He posited.