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Tag: OGFZA

  • OGFZA, NPA partner on free zone operation

    The Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA) has opened discussions with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to forge closer ties on issues ranging from use of land in the ports where oil and gas free zones are located to strategic cooperation.

    The strategic engagement  between the two agencies began at the weekend when theOGFZA Managing Director, Mr Umana Okon Umana, paid a courtesy call on the NPA Managing Director, Ms Hadiza Bala Usman, at the NPA head office on the Marina, Lagos.

    Briefing Usman on the series of reforms and progress in the free zones since he took over as chief executive officer in September 2016, Umana said more would be achieved with greater support and cooperation of the NPA. He proposed a partnership agreement in which the NPA would cede lands to OGFZA in the nation’s seaports hosting oil and gas free zones to free up access to land for investors in the form of subleases. Suggesting that the proposal should be formalised with an MOU, Umana explained that OGFZA would administer such leaseholds in collaboration with the NPA.

    He emphasised that collaboration between OGFZA and the NPA on land use and other policy issues would have positive impact on the ease of doing business in the free zones in line with the policy thrust of the Federal Government.

    Usman commended the managing director of OGFZA on his efforts to sanitize the free zones by insisting that all licensees comply with extant laws and regulations and pledged unflinching support to OGFZA in the bid to realise the full objectives and potential of the oil and gas free zones.

    She expressed full support for Mr. Umana’s position that OGFZA and NPA needed to strengthen their collaboration to ensure that a level playing field is provided for all licencees and concessionaires.

  • OGFZA, PwC partner to drive for FDI

    OGFZA, PwC partner to drive for FDI

    The Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA) has signed a partnership agreement with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to pool resources together to drive investments into Nigeria’s oil and gas free zones.

    The agreement commits PwC to long-term collaboration with OGFZA’s investment subsidiary, the Free Zone Global Investments Limited, in strategic advisory services, optimisation of processes and investment promotion.

    OGFZA’s Managing Director  Mr Umana Okon Umana described the relationship with PwC as important.

    Umana said the mandate of OGFZA to manage the nation’s oil and gas free zones and grow foreign direct investment inflow required professionalism that could only be enhanced through partnership with a credible brand like the PwC.

    “Given what you represent as a global brand, working together we can win for OGFZA and for Nigeria,” Umana told the team from PwC.

    He said with the partnership, OGFZA would “fully realise the promise of the free zones as vehicles for growth and development.”

    A partner at PwC and leader of the team Cyril Azobu said his organisation was excited to be part of the OGFZA initiative. “I strongly believe you have the right niche for investments.” He expressed joy at being “a participant in the process for the development of my country.”

  • Between OGFZA and INTELS

    The ongoing travails of Integrated Logistics Services (INTELS) Nigeria Limited dramatize the fact that the league of mediocre enjoys fighting top-notch achievers for unjustifiable reasons.  The newest actuator of these growth-retarding travails is the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA). OGFZA for hollow excuses has decided to wage a war of attrition against INTELS.

    To be candid, it is not surprising that in an environment governed by “pull-him-down syndrome”, INTELS is now a serially victim of fiendish policy attacks. The surprising element is the eagerness of public institutions to play the ignoble role of architects of economic misfortunes. OGFZA is aware that if INTELS prestigious niche in logistics service is dislocated, the lofty aspirations of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act, 2010 will be jeopardized.  This spells economic woes for a nation in the throes of change.

    By this action, the economic fortunes of INTELS are in jeopardy. Also, over 15,000 Nigerians and their families are likely to experience the dehumanizing wretchedness of income volatility occasioned by joblessness. Sadly, this might happen when Nigeria is still recovering from economic crunch, and lacks social security for her teeming citizenry. The financial sector is not immune to the overshadowing grimness, because INTELS secured loan from many banks to develop critical infrastructure in some ports.

    This refusal to renew its license is mainly informed by INTELS chivalrous protestation of unjustifiable charges. INTELS perceives the land lease/sublease registration charge by the free zone regulator as an extortionist feint. According to INTELS, it is ethically and legally senseless to pay the lease/sublease registration charge to OGFZA, sincethe land it occupies was leased from the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

    In the prevailing global economic order, experts in legitimation and de-legitimation of companies rank the connect-and-collaborate model of leadership above command and control tactics. Said differently, sapient regulators do not operate without viable consensus-formation mechanism and smart conflict resolution protocols.

    The aspiration of OGFZA to be a specimen of bureaucratic excellence is undermined by its inept handling of INTELS’ complaints. It suggests a patent lack of collaborative mechanism. Hence, when it noticed the crisis of command thrown up by INTELS noncompliance, it resorted to coercive power. The soft power of dialogue could have ended this impasse, if bureaucratic autocracy and arrogance of power did not cause a failure of common sense.

    It is an expression of civility for power to listen to truth, to dissent, to complaint, to grievance, when key economic actors contest the legitimacy of policy-prescribed actions. The credibility of any regulator is endangered, when it resorts to intimidation and negative representation of the organizational character of companies. OGFZA’s characterization of INTELS as an institutional free rider that evades charges and flouts prescribed norms smacks of ethical deficit. For reasons like this, it is clear why when many Nigerians consider the operational ethics of public agencies; they do not see enthralling panoply of civility to draw inspiration from.

    OGFZA’s magisterial conclusion about “unauthorized” disposal of INTELS assets even before the commencement of the proposed audit is premature and redolent of bad faith. If the audit is eventually conducted, and INTELS is found wanting, it will be easier to contest its credibility, and tough to execute its recommended sanctions. Already INTELS has disclosed its readiness to sue OGFZA for allegedly destroying its image. It is unclear what strategic national interest OGFZA seeks to achieve by stimulating this vortex of scandal.

    Evidently, laudable ideas for sustainable development cannot be translated to reality, if the ethical foundation of corporate governance is not solidified, and a culture of zero tolerance for contraventions entrenched. This implies that the consequences of infringements should be nondiscriminatory. If INTELS has erred, it should suffer the consequences without undue media trial, and toxic diatribes.

    To promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth, government must make the business environment friendlier; reduce risk of business failures, and enhance bureaucratic competences. Competent bureaucracies do not allow political sentiments to dictate their actions. In fact, they are immune to partisan politics.

    Desperate political agents feel vulnerable without annexing bureaucratic institutions. So, they employ mercurially dictatorial antics and inducement to turn public institutions to outposts of their political groups. When they succeed, ethics is the first victim. Arbitrariness becomes a rule of conduct. Transitions to doom begin with arbitrariness. The converse is also true. Adherence to law opens amazing chapters of economic bloom.

    Before the 2015 elections, Nigerians observed with utter dismay how the then ruling or ruining elite through its bureaucratic allies  made frantic efforts to emasculate President Buhari. They almost made him unelectable, claiming he lacked the requisite educational credentials to vie for the presidency. Mysteriously his certificate disappeared from military archives. The point to note is bureaucratic malfeasance is becoming a defining element of pre-election conspiratorial gambits.

    Public institutions should be mindful of the season we are in. The 2019 election is about 14 months away. Nigerians tend to view issues like this through political prisms. Particularly, since Atiku Abubakar a co-founder of INTELS is a visible, viable, and vocal political actor gunning for the presidency.

    Some commentators claim that certain political agents are fearful of Atiku Abubakar. They nurse the fear that his political structure may have significant influence on the outcomes of 2019 elections. This fear is perennial; it is a galvanizer of negative political and economic actions. Some of the actions are simplistic rehash of Obasanjo’s crafty moves in 2007 to confine Atiku to a political black hole.

    In fact, Obasanjo’s actions had historical antecedent. The credit for political emasculation by inflicting economic hemorrhage goes to late General Sani Abacha. During his lack-lustre autocratic rule, he seized Nigeria Container Services (NICOTES), the progenitor of INTELS. The seizure of NICOTES was occasioned by the pro-democratic agitations of arrowheads of Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), notably, Shehu Yar’Adua, and Atiku Abubakar.

    The vestiges of neo-patrimonial governance of military autocracy are visible in Nigeria’s political landscape. They influence political antics.  Some of its distinctive elements like subjective ethics, cronyism, imposition of candidates, and personal rule would influence backstage activities before and during 2019 elections. In a way, Nigeria’s dismal practice of democracy could be attributed to the hangovers of military politics, which have attenuated society’s conscience.

    The popularization of subjective ethics by agencies of government must be seen as a prelude to social instability and economic doom.  Subjectivism lacks merit outside the ambits of private endeavors. Therefore, it should not dictate the trajectory of public policies.  At the cusps of transformation, Nigeria gets overwhelmed by anemia, because, she is a seeming alien to objective ethics.

    Statements credited to the Managing Director of OGFZA, Umana Okon Umana, tacitly suggest pendulous swings. It is puzzling why OGFZA swings from the moral high ground of providing policy solutions legitimized by participation, flexibility, horizontality, and inclusiveness to the pedestrian plane of brewer of controversies. Attempts to rationalize why they have held INTELS by the jugular are unhelpful to their reputation.

    It seems needful to remind the OGFZA boss that the single overriding communication objective (SOCO) of executive interventions in crisis situation is to offer clarity. It is not a mark of sapience for chief executive officers to speak in order to win arguments, particularly, by lacing their press statements with sophomoric sophism.

    Tensions and disputes are inevitable in terrains where heterogeneity of interests abounds. They have the potential to generate innovative ideas for the good of all. Regrettably, simple issues that could be addressed by healthy institutional interactions were allowed to snowball, acquire anti-progress tendencies, and drive a wedge between the two organizations.  The diminution of institutional resources caused by this politically motivated firework does not in any way open new frontiers of economic development for Nigeria. Rather, it may narrow the spectrum for 15,000 Nigerian families to savour the bliss of unmitigated economic prosperity.

     

    • Ibie is a Lagos-based public commentator.

  • OGFZA raises key issues at global trade summit

    The ease of doing business and public-private partnership in investment promotion, were among the key isues raised by the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA), at this year’s Global Trade Development Week (GTDW), in Dubai, the United Arab Emirate (UAE)

    OGFZA, at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) conference, also harped on compliance with laws and regulations, governing trade and investment  and lowering cost of doing business

    The oil and gas regulator,  placed a premium on these four concerns as must-address imperatives in its three-year roadmap for the development of the nation’s oil and gas free zones.

    The theme of the conference was, “Navigating Global Trade & Reviving Global Growth: Implementing TFA and enhancing capacity across the public and private sector.” TFA, for Trade Facilitation Agreement, a WTO trade protocol which came into force on 22 February 2017, seeks to lubricate trade among member nations of the WTO that have ratified it.

    Delegates to the conference,  including four management staff of OGFZA interfaced  with more than 80 international experts in trade facilitation, international trade finance, customs administration, compliance issues and training, and also with  other delegates from the Middle-East, Asia, Australia, Europe and the Americas.

    The Economy Minister of the UAE,  Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori, said the theme of the conference was about ‘facilitating cross-border trading through simplification of procedures at borders and administration requirements, providing information and electronic procedures which help save time, reduce costs and improve customs and logistics standards.”

  • ‘Intels not owing OGFZA’

    The management of Intels Nigeria Limited (INL) has said that contrary to speculations and unproven allegations, the company is not owing the Oil and Gas Export Free Zone Authority (OGFZA).

    INL also said its operations are not in violation of the OGFZA Act.

    INL said the allegations levelled against it by OGFZA are “false and malicious” and are injurious to the company’s business interest.

    The company said there have been exchange of correspondences, meetings and discussions held between it and OGFZA regarding various demand notices issued by OGFZA as well as other measures taken by OGFZA affecting INL’s status and operations in the Onne Oil & Gas Free Zone.

    In a statement, Intels said it is not liable to pay the demanded Lease/Sublease Charge being introduced by OGFZA,  insisting that since the charge is in dispute, the charges are not due, within the meaning of Regulation .

  • OGFZA orders 10-year audit of Intels for ‘unlawful operations’

    OGFZA orders 10-year audit of Intels for ‘unlawful operations’

    The Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA) has ordered a comprehensive compliance audit of Intels Nigeria Limited’s operations in the last 10 years.

    The Authority said it appointed a team of auditors to examine Intels’ books.

    The firm is a concessionaire of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and a licensee of OGFZA.

    The audit is over the company’s alleged serial violation of the laws and regulations governing operations in the free zone.

    Intels was accused of failing to submit its records, warehouses and equipment imported under the zero duty regime of the free zone for inspection in compliance with the OGFZA Act.

    In a letter to Intels Managing Director, OGFZA drew his attention to the alleged breaches.

    The letter, signed by OGFZA Managing Director Mr Umana Okon Umana, accused Intels and her affiliate companies of having “transferred and sold off their assets” imported into the free zone under the zero duty regime, which only free zone companies are entitled to.

    He said the company allegedly did so “without the approval and consent of the Authority,” in contravention of Section 12(6)(a-b) of the Oil and Gas Export Free Zone Act.

    The section states: “Where any goods which are dutiable on entry into the Customs territory are sent from the Export Free Zone into the Customs territory, the good shall be subject to the provision of the Customs, Excise tariff, etc. (Consolidation) Act and any regulations made thereunder, and if the goods are intended to be disposed of in the Customs territory, shall not be removed from the Export Free Zone unless— a) the consent of the Authority has been obtained; and b) the relevant Customs authorities are satisfied that all imports restrictions relevant thereto have been complied with and all duties payable in connection with the importation thereof into Customs territory have been paid.”

    According to Umana, on March 20, the Authority issued a new standard operating procedure (SOP) to enforce the laws and regulations in the free zone.

    Two days later, 16 affiliates of Intels filed applications for de-registration from the free zone

    It was learnt that the revised SOP made it mandatory that all requests for transfer of cargoes from the free zone had to be made to the Authority in keeping with the law, to protect the interest of government and other stakeholders.

    Following Intels’ affiliate’s applications, OGFZA informed the companies that in line with section 15 (1) of Act, they would have to be audited.

    The Authority said the audit is to ensure that their assets were fully accounted for and that appropriate revenue payable to the Federal Government is remitted when the assets are disposed of.

    In keeping with section 15(1)(a-c) of the Act, a joint team of OGFZA and Nigeria Customs Service was set up to visit the companies’ premises to inspect their records and equipment ahead of the de-registration.

    Umana alleged that the assets that may have been disposed of by Intels and its affiliate companies, including Prodeco, add up to 3,000 project vehicles, trucks, cranes, forklifts and a large number of assorted construction equipment.

    In the letter OGFZA also drew the attention of Intels to the fact that its Free Zone operating licence, which had expired since 31 December 2016, had not been renewed.

    Following the OGFZA allegations, Intels Nigeria Limited (INL) has threatened legal action against Umana, saying he leveled “false and malicious allegations against the company and its management which are injurious to its business interests, as well as the reputation of INL.”

    INL said it is compiling the losses being suffered by the organisation due to Umana’s actions both in his official and private capacity.

    It said: “We have no doubt that as these are deliberate actions, you are well aware of the consequences as these are clearly crude, irresponsible and off-limits. At the appropriate time, we will initiate necessary legal measures to ventilate this grievance.”

    In a letter titled ‘Re: Various Matters in Contention between Oil & Gas Free Zone Authority (OGFZA) and Intels Nigeria Limited,’ Intels listed some issues of contention between INL and OGFZA, which he said Umana capitalised on to disparage the reputation of the company.

    Intels listed some of the contentious issues to include the refusal of OGFZA to renew the 2017 Operating License for Intels Nigeria Limited; the imposition of land charges by OGFZA; nullification of INL’s Industry Wide Standard Tariff (IWST) and other port related charges by OGFZA.

    INL also frowned at Umana’s “penchant for conveying messages to government agencies and clients injurious to INL business interest and reputation; non-payment for INTELS’ premises occupied by OGFZA at Onne and Heliconia Park Estate and the refusal of OGFZA to renew the residence permit and re-designation of INL expatriate employees in the Onne Free Zone.

    Part of the Intel’s letter reads: “We refer to the various exchange of correspondence, meetings and discussions held between our company and the OGFZA regarding various demand notices issued by the OGFZA, as well as other measures taken by the OGFZA affecting our status and operations in the Onne Oil & Gas Free Zone.

    “As you are aware, we have so far engaged you in discussions with a view to resolving the matters amicably, in line with our conviction that a harmonious working relationship will be of mutual benefit to our two organisations and will be in the overall interest of both parties. However, in view of your persistent engagement in actions deliberately aimed at undermining our business, as well as tarnishing our hard-earned reputation, it has now become imperative to formally address the various issues on both the law and facts with the hope that you will be better guided to retrace your ill-advised actions,” the company said.

    On OGFZA’s refusal to renew the 2017 Operating License of Intels Nigeria Limited, the company states: “OGFZA has refused to release INL licence for 2017 on the ground that INL has to pay all charges and fees demanded by the OGFZA notwithstanding that INL has paid in full the renewal fee for the licence. The other fees in question relate to new free zone tariffs on land charges imposed by the Free Zone (Tariffs & Other Charges) INL has raised some issues concerning the land charges (which are further enumerated hereunder) with the result that the claim by the OGFZA on INL for those charges are presently being disputed.

    Intels said OGFZA’s view that INL has not complied with Regulation 35(1) (b) (“payment of any outstanding sum due to the Authority”) and is therefore not entitled to have its licence renewed, is a grave error, insisting that OGFZA should issue INL its licence for 2017.

    On the land charges imposed by OGFZA, Intels maintained that INL is not liable to pay the land charges levied on it by OGFZA, pointing out that the premises it occupies in the ports were granted by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA); the statutory/legal owner of the land on which our operation is situate. It said OGFZA has no legal authority to administer or manage land vested in the NPA in any manner whatsoever. “OGFZA cannot levy any charges over NPA land, and not having any interest over the land, it cannot register third party interests or transactions over the land.”

    Intels, in its letter, said the charges of terminal operators for stevedoring or other terminal handling is certainly not part of Regulation 11 of the Free Zone Regulations which grants the OGFZA the authority to issue a schedule of Tariff that should apply in the Free Zone. The OGFZA tariff, Intels maintains, relates to services intended to be provided by or through the OGFZA, insisting that this was never intended to regulate NPA services including cargo handling of any sorts, as these are the preserve of NPA.

    Intels said it is on record that it has paid the prescribed FZ licence fees for the 2017 Operating License after filing the 2016 annual return along with other formalities, stating, “as already demanded by us, we expect that OGFZA should immediately release our FZ (Free Zone) license for 2017.”

    “If you fail or neglect to release the said License within five days of receipt of this letter, we shall have no option but to take appropriate legal steps to compel the OGFZA to release our 2017 FZ Operating License along with all other services and benefits ancillary thereto and accruing to us as FZ Licensee, including the grant of expatriate quotas and re-designations thereof as validly applied for,” Intel said.

     

  • OGFZA, Customs partner on service delivery

    The Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) will work together for improved service delivery to clients in the nation’s free trade zones, the authorities of the two government agencies have said.

    Addressing a joint stakeholders’ forum of the two agencies in Onne, Rivers State, the managing director of OGFZA, Mr Umana Okon Umana, and the Comptroller-General of the NCS, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), said their agencies were united by the collective objective of delivering best-in-class services to investors in the free zones in line with the Ease of Doing Business policy of the Federal Government.

    The stakeholders’ forum was organised to fine-tune a pathway to better service delivery in the free zones.

    Speaking at the forum, Umana said: “This conference is jointly hosted by the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority and the Nigeria Customs Service to underscore the fact that the Ease of Doing Business initiative is a national policy under one government, by which fact all relevant agencies of Government are to work together in implementing the policy to deliver efficient services to the investor.

    “That is both the letter and spirit of the policy, whose   urgency   has   been reinforced   by   the   Executive   Orders   issued   by   the   Acting   President, Prof.   Yemi Osinbajo.”

    Umana added that agency cooperation for efficient service delivery under the one-government concept is operationalised in the free zones through the one-stop shop policy, which makes it obligatory for all relevant   agencies   of   government to work through OGFZA to optimise and expedite service delivery.

    “The point being made here is that the policy of efficient service delivery has to be   imbibed   and   made   a   way   of   life   across   all   agencies   of government,” he said.

    In his remarks, Col. Ali declared that the service was committed to working with OGFZA for the good of the nation.

    “We recognise the need to work with you and carry you along in our match towards evolving an efficient and responsive service,” the Comptroller-General of NCS said.

    Ali explained that full engagement with all stakeholders in the oil and gas trade is a requirement for the success of the industry.

    The forum, which drew participation from licensed customs clearing agents, free zone investors, relevant government officials and other stakeholders was highly interactive.

    It featured the presentation of technical papers on the Ease of Doing Business by Mr Adekunle Ajayi, OGFZA’s head of operations and technical services, and another paper providing the customs perspective on improved service delivery in the free zones by Abubakar Bashir, the NCS Comptroller in charge of the Port Harcourt Area Command, Onne.

     

  • Dogara backs OGFZA bill

    Dogara backs OGFZA bill

    The speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has thrown his weight behind efforts by the National Assembly (NASS) to amend the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA) Act of 1996.

    In his opening remarks on Thursday in Abuja to the public hearing on the bill to amend the OGFZA law, organised by the House Committee on Commerce, Dogara said he was convinced deliberations at the public hearing would lead to appropriate review and correction of any ambiguities that may exist in the OGFZA Act.

    Dogara, represented by the Deputy Chief Whip of the House, Pali Iriase, said such amendment would “empower the agency to focus its resources on developing and promoting tailored investment packages and incentives for oil and gas free trade zones to further promote the diversification policy of the Federal Government.”

    Giving reasons why the OGFZA Act should be amended, Speaker Dogara explained that since the law was enacted in 1996, much has changed in the global marketplace that has made the law outdated and created the imperative to bring it up to date with current realities.

    “We all do appreciate the fact that global investment climate has changed drastically since the days when the legislation was enacted in 1996,” the Speaker Dogara said.

    “The global competition and scramble by various countries for available foreign investments has since grown much stiffer and complex also.

    “The House under my leadership shall continue to be responsive to global economic trends and will endeavour to always take proactive steps together with the executive arm and its agencies to make new laws and review outdated portions of existing laws that tend to reduce Nigeria’s competitiveness as the premier investment destination in Africa.”

    Dogara noted that Nigeria pioneered oil and gas free zones as a means for accelerating economic development, adding that it was a thing of pride that even developed countries such as Russia and the United States felt the need to borrow from Nigeria’s success in oil and gas free zones development.

    He also noted that the free zones under OGFZA attracted more than 170 foreign companies, generating more than N162 billion in revenues for the Federal Government.

    In a welcome address, Chairman of the House Committee on Commerce, organisers of the public hearing, Sylvester Ogbaga touted the importance of the oil and gas free zones, saying: “There is no doubt the existence of the Oil and Gas Free Zones has increased the tempo of economic activities in our ports and have helped to deepen the economy of Nigeria.”

    In their presentations to the public hearing, Mr Umana Okon Umana, Managing Director of OGFZA and Mr Emmanuel Jime, Managing Director of Nigeria Exporting Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) said their submissions for the hearing had earlier been transmitted to the supervising ministry—Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment—which would harmonise both submissions and forward a common position of the ministry to the House Committee on Commerce which is considering the amendment bill.

    After the hearing on the OGFZA amendment bill, the public participation in lawmaking shifted to the bill for an Act to establish the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport of Nigeria.

  • Eko Support Free Zone ready this year, says OGFZA MD

    Eko Support Free Zone ready this year, says OGFZA MD

    The Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA) plans to set up a structure that will help Eko Support Services Limited – an Apapa, Lagos-based oil and gas free zone – to fully function and enjoy the complete benefits of an oil and gas free zone, it was learnt yesterday.

    OGFZAManaging Director Mr. Umana Okon Umana, who unveiled the regulatory plan when he visited Eko Support during the week, said the plan will enable the free zone enjoy the benefits as provided for in the extant regulations of OGFZA and its establishment Act of 1996.

    Umana said OGFZA would help Eko Support to take full advantage of its free zone licence and exercise the full authority of its free zone status by adopting a standard operating procedure that has been fully tested at Onne Free Zone and keyed into the Executive Order of the Federal Government on the Ease of Doing Business.

    “A licence is a piece of paper. What you make of the licence is the issue,” Umana told the management team of Eko Support led by Seni Edu, the general manager of the free zone, who was on hand to receive the visiting team from OGFZA.

    “We have a model in Onne that is working. We would adapt the model and even improve on it by setting up a structure to run the system for the benefits of the operator, clients and government,” he added.

    He said OGFZA would have to interface with government for the free zone operator and investors with regard to taxes, immigration, customs, security and other regulatory issues by setting up a one-stop shop infrastructure to enhance the ease of doing business in the zone.

    In a presentation to the OGFZA team, Edu listed a number of concerns that he wanted OGFZA to look into, including space constraint and policy direction. Addressing the question of space constraint at Eko Support, Umana agreed that the free zone needed more space to optimise its operations and succeed in providing support services to its clients, adding that the space constraint challenge could be overcome by creating a sub-zone for Eko Support.

    Umana also addressed the question of apparent confusion in policy direction, saying whatever challenge there was in that regard would be fully taken care of by the ongoing review at the National Assembly of the laws setting up the regulatory agencies for free zones.

    “We are determined to make sure that our free zones succeed,” Umana assured Edu and the management team of Eko Support.

    “We will set up a committee to work with you and make sure all parties benefit and perform their roles,” he said.

  • OGFZA deploys Oracle clouds to raise efficiency

    OGFZA deploys Oracle clouds to raise efficiency

    The Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA) has taken a major step to advance its application of the Ease of Doing Business policy as it signed an agreement to power its operations with Oracle Cloud.

    As an IT solution, Oracle Cloud offers organisations the backbone to drive innovation and business transformation by enhancing speed and efficiency, lowering cost and simplifying IT complexity.

    The OGFZA Managing Director, Umama Okno Umana, who spoke at the agreement-signing ceremony at Oracle office in Abuja, said that the decision to invest in cutting edge technology was a fallout of OGFZA’s roadmap to optimise service delivery and add the most value to clients at every service point. 

    He said that “We agreed to add value—there is no way that can be achieved without retooling our processes to meet the expectations of our clients.”

    According to him, OGFZA was going for the best-in-class technology to meet global competition. “The market is global, so you’re competing with other service providers worldwide,” he said.

    He told Oracle Nigeria that he was looking forward to the expeditious implementation of the IT solution to drive its vision of being the premier agency of the Nigerian government attracting investments to grow the economy.

    Oracle applications sales director (public sector), Bisike Uba said the signature ceremony marked the beginning of a journey of transformation for OGFZA with Oracle as a guide. Bisike said the value proposition of Oracle Cloud was to help OGFZA drive efficiency, effectiveness and transparency at reduced cost in its day-to-day operations.

    The investment in Oracle Cloud fulfills OGFZA’s commitment to automation, which is a key proposition in the agency’s roadmap produced early this year at a strategic management retreat held in Onne, Rivers State. The Oracle Cloud solution is expected to guarantee that OGFZAdoes not falter in its commitment to new service standards such as the reduction of the turnaround time for a new licence from 28 days to 14 and the cut in the time for licence renewal from 14 days to 48 hours.