By Godwin Oritse &  Jimitota Onoyume

PORT HARCOURT—The Federal Government has set aside N51.4 billion  to create six special economic zones in the country.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr  Okechukwu Enelama,  disclosed this yesterday,  while declaring open a  stakeholders’ forum of Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority, OGFZA, in Onne, Rivers State.

The minister, who was represented by  his  Minister of State, Hajia Aisha Abubakar, said that the  provision which is contained in this year’s budget will strengthen the nation’s economic sector, adding that it will also reflect the government’s “recognition of free zones as veritable engines of growth for the  economy.”

Buhari

She said: “In order to underscore the critical role of the Free Zones as drivers of economic growth, the Federal Government, in the 2017 budget estimates, made a strong policy statement in support of the concept of the Free Zones by setting aside a special provision of N51.4 billion for the establishment of six Special Economic Zones, SEZs, in the country having recognised Free Zones as veritable engines of growth for the economy.”

She said that the Federal Government will continue to support  investors in the oil and gas free zones in the country, adding that the free zone had attracted over $20 billion investments to the nation and created about 200,000 direct and indirect jobs.

On his part, Managing Director of the OGFZA, Mr Umana Umana, unveiled  a road map of the zone that will create a robust environment for investment.

He expressed the hope that the new drive would facilitate  “establishment of business in the oil and gas free zones.”