Amaechi Calls For Reduced Traffic At Onne Free Zone

Rivers State Government has appealed to the management of INTELS Nigeria Limited to reduce their current tariff charges on firms that use the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone, to enable the establishments that left the state to return back.

Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi made the appeal Wednesday in his office in Port Harcourt during a meeting with INTELS Management and PRODECO Nig. Ltd, led by the Managing Director Mr Gabriele Volpi. Also present at the meeting was the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero.

Governor Amaechi, who reiterated the need for all oil companies operating in the Niger Delta region, particularly Rivers State, to relocate their headquarters to Port Harcourt, noted that reduction of tariffs charged at the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone would attract those that left back.

The governor said he would continue to mount pressure on the companies to change their approach, and expressed the hope that the sitting of their head offices in Rivers State would help to engage more youths from Rivers State meaningfully and reduce restiveness.

He said the security reason usually given by the companies are no longer tenable, as the state now enjoys relative peace, emphasisng that in a couple of days, the residents of the state would see a new set of Israeli trained policemen that would be on the roads.

According to him, the Police Officers trained by the Rivers State Government would be fully equipped to discharge their duties, without collecting bribes, adding that the newly trained Policemen would enjoy enhanced pay package as incentives.

The governor used the opportunity to inform them that national and international actors and actresses have arrived the state for the ION film festival which the state government is sponsoring to demonstrate to the world that Port Harcourt is safe.

He thanked the establishments that remained in the state during the period of the security threat, noting that his government will continue to encourage companies like Air France, as a way of showing appreciation, for them staying back while others were leaving the state at the height of the crisis.

The Managing Director of INTELS Nigeria Limited, Mr Gabriele Volpi, thanked the state governor for his proactive approach in the discharge of his duties, which the companies operating in the state are immediate beneficiaries.

Mr Volpi, said his company has invested heavily in Rivers State, but noted that the expatriates relocated from Port Harcourt at the wake of security threats to their lives, and pledged their cooperation to encourage other companies return to the state.