The newly appointed Managing Director of Nigeria Export Processing Zones
Authority (NEPZA), Hon. Emmanuel Jime, will today continue with his
fact-finding/familiarization of tours of Free Trade Zones (FTZs) in the
country.
Jime, who had earlier toured some FTZs in the Lagos Axis last week, will
be in to Kano to familiarize himself with operations of the Kano Free
Trade Zone, located at Panisau, behind Mallam Aminu Kano International
Airport (MAKIA).
On Tuesday (tomorrow), the NEPZA MD will return to Lagos to continue his
tour of FTZs in Lagos. Between Tuesday and Thursday, he will visit the
elite premises of the Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ) as well as those of
Eco-Atlantic Free Trade Zone (EA-FTZ) otherwise known as Nigeria
International Commercial City (NICC).
Last week, the managing director had toured some FTZs in Lagos, including
the ASL Free Trade Zone; NAHCO Free Trade Zone (both located within MMIA);
Lagos Deep Offshore Logistic Base (LADOL) situated at Takwa Bay; Snake
Island Integrated Free Zone (SIIFZ) on Snake Island as well as the
Ogun-Guandong Free Trade Zone located in Igbesa, Ado Odo-Otta Local
Government in Ogun State.
Explaining the rationale behind the tours, even on a public holiday, Jime
said “the task of industrializing Nigeria and diversifying the national
economy is an urgent one, and if foregoing a public holiday can push
Nigeria in that direction, it is not too much sacrifice.”
Said he further: “I understand the mandate of NEPZA, and that mandate is
about driving the process of Nigeria’s industrialization. And at this time
when the president is intent on diversifying the economy beyond non-oil
exports, the strategic importance of NEPZA cannot be over-emphasized.
“This explains the rationale behind my familiarization visits to the FTZs
to familiarize myself with operations of investors and stakeholders in the
FTZs with a view to creating an enabling environment that removes the red
tape and guarantees a win-win situation for every party.”
Jime went on: “I am a believer in the power, viability and functionality
of the FTZs, especially where things are done properly. And to hit the
ground running, we must know where NEPZA is now, where the FTZs are, the
synergy, the successes, the challenges etc. When we get the body of
information we need, we can now plan towards the big picture.
“And as I go round, I am also marketing NEPZA and its mandate to
Nigerians, sister agencies and even the international community because I
have discovered that not many people know what NEPZA is all about. We
intend to change that for good.”
Accompanying the managing director on the trip is the General Manager
(Business Development), Engr. David Nongo and other senior management
staff.