NEPZA, NASS Collaborate To Deepen Nigeria’s Industrialisation

The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority and the Senate Committee on Trade, Industry and Investment have entered into collaboration to strengthen free trade zones as well as other critical roles aimed at expediting the country’s industrialization process.

The Managing Director of the Authority, Adesoji Adesugba, who received Francis Fadahunsi, Acting Chairman of the committee and his colleagues in Abuja on Friday noted that the role of the senate and the entire National Assembly remains critical to the mandate of the Authority

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Adesugba said the collaboration would ensure that the operation of special economic zones commence in full, as it remains a platform to create the needed employment and spark up industrialisation in the country.

He said, “We are all part of the downturn in the global economy and that also which is affecting Nigeria. We are looking in-house at the possibilities of NEPZA being a catalyst to propel the economy from where it is now.

“In this respect, we have looked at what is on ground especially the Special Economic Zones that the government had created and we intend to give life for full operations to commence in those locations as this is a sure way to create the much needed employment and to spark genuine industrialisation.”

Speaking further Adesugba said the negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic could quickly be ameliorated using the strategy of free zone.

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“I have no doubt that we will be working very closely with your committee to ensure that NEPZA attains its objective in playing a very critical role in the industrialization of Nigeria.

“I hope and pray that this committee helps galvanise the required support for the Authority by taking us into consideration when issues relating to assisting us comes into play at the national assembly,” he added.

Fadahunsi in his response stressed on the need for NEPZA to promote renovation and infrastructural facilities for economic growth.

“Just provide infrastructural facilities and security in the zones that can attract investors, they will come.

“You have to have synergy with security agency for whatever free zone you have created automatically people will be free to exercise their right there and things will move,” he added.

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Fadahunsi speaking further assured the Authority of the support of the 9th senate in the creation of trade zones.

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