Free zones have created 200,000 jobs over the years - Enelamah

- Gas Free Zones have attracted more than $20 billion in investments

- They have also created about 200,000 direct and indirect jobs

- This is the submission of the minister of industry, trade and investment, Okechukwu Enelamah

Nigeria's minister of industry, trade and investment, Mr Okechukwu Enelamah has said Gas Free Zones have attracted more than $20 billion in investments and created about 200,000 direct and indirect jobs in Nigeria.

According to the minister, the free zones have proven to be beneficial to the country due to their contributions to national development.

The minister's words were read out by the minister of state for trade, industry and investment; Hajia Aisha Abubakar yesterday, February 9 at a stakeholders’ forum organised by the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA) at Onne, Rivers state.

The minister pledged that the federal government would continue to support the Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority and investors.

He also that the federal government had set aside the sum of N51.4 billion for the establishment of six additional special economic zones in the country.

He explained that the step was taken as a result of the recognition of free zones as veritable engines of growth for the economy.

“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.

“For this reason, the Federal Government will continue to support OGFZA and investors in the oil and gas free zones because of their important contributions to national economic development.

“Over the years, the oil and gas free zones have attracted more than $20 billion in investments and created about 200,000 direct and indirect jobs. They have also facilitated the transfer of skills and technology in the oil and gas sector to Nigerians,” the minister said.

Meanwhile, the federal government’s economic blueprint for the next four years is due to be released this month and expectations are high that the document will bring out Nigeria from its recession.