Gbenga Daniel, former governor of Ogun State, has addressed the ongoing legal conflict between the Nigerian government and Zhongshan, a Chinese firm, regarding the Ogun/Guangdong Free Trade Zone (FTZ).
The dispute has led to the seizure of three Nigerian presidential aircraft in France and Switzerland under a court order from Zhongshan.
The seized aircraft include a Dassault Falcon 7X in Paris, a Boeing 737, and an Airbus A330, valued at over $100 million, which was yet to be delivered.
The Chinese firm initiated the seizure to recover $74.5 million, which was awarded to it following a legal dispute over a contract with Ogun State.
In a statement issued by his media office on Saturday, Daniel clarified that he and his administration are not involved in the current arbitration or legal proceedings related to the termination of the FTZ management contract.
He stated that the legal issues at hand do not pertain to the foundational agreements for establishing the FTZ but rather to terminating a specific management contract.
Daniel noted that all court judgements on the matter have been clear.
Daniel stressed the importance of resolving the issue through diplomatic channels rather than public commentary, supporting President Bola Tinubu in finding a solution.
He reiterated that the Ogun/Guangdong Free Trade Zone remains operational, with multiple companies continuing their activities there.
“However, let us emphasise once again that the Ogun/Guangdong Free Trade Zone project still exists and several Nigerians are working there as we write, just as there are several companies still doing their legitimate businesses. It is from this perspective of development that the efforts of Otunba Gbenga Daniel should be well appreciated.
“At the time of his handover in 2011, about 56 companies were at various stages of operations, construction, and showing interests in the Free Trade Zone and through which various life-impacting developments (including but not limited to the construction of roads, schools for the local community, scholarship and sponsorship of many Nigerians for academic pursuit, etc.) have taken place in the Igbesa area, which was an otherwise rural community before the establishment of the Free Trade Zone.”
Daniel urged the media to avoid politicising the issue and to support efforts to resolve the dispute in Nigeria’s best interest.
The statement concluded with a call for accurate reporting and a plea for media cooperation in resolving the matter.
