Free Trade Zones Key To Nigeria’s Industrial Boom – NEPZA Boss
The Managing Director of Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Hon. Emmanuel Jime, has declared that the nation’s industrial boom is tied to the Free Trade Zones (FTZs) performance across the country.
He said much of the successes achieved by the Asian Tigers, such as China, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan and even the United Arab Emirates (UAE) came through innovative FTZs, even as he assured that under his watch the Free Zones would be repositioned for effective service delivery.
Addressing the management and staff of the Kano Zone of the Authority, Jime said the importance of value-adding leadership cannot be over-emphasised in today’s Nigeria, insisting that, “what Nigeria needs now is a leadership that is speaks less and does more.”
“Our Free Trade Zones (FTZs) must work. Nigeria does not have a choice. The economic miracles or industrial successes of China, Singapore, Taiwan and even Dubai in the United Arab Emirates are tied largely to the innovation of their FTZs. And if it’s working there, it must work here too”, the managing director said.
According to him, “I am determined that under my watch, NEPZA will superintend the re-positioning and rebranding of our Free Trade Zones. It is a personal challenge, that of the Authority; and it is also the challenge of our generation.”
“As I have said elsewhere, my eyes are set on history. I have a clear vision of where I want NEPZA to be. I know I won’t be here forever, but while I am here, I plan to transform this place so that it truly becomes the springboard if our over-delayed industrial take-off.
“And my models are not in America or Britain – they are here: the Dora Akunyilis and the Ernest Ndukwes, the Donald Dukes. I look at the concept of Local Content with a broader perspective; my leadership models are right here with us as are their landmark achievements.
“This is what Nigeria needs now: a leadership that speaks less and does more. Nigeria needs to move away from workshops to workouts; we must deliver on our promises and the mandates of the organisations or agencies or commissions that we have superintendence over.
Jime said it is imperative for the Kano Zone as well as NEPZA staff nationwide to embrace this new order as “chief marketers of NEPZA and her mandate, both at the individual and collective levels.”
On staff welfare and a new salary structure for the Authority, the MD said while incentivising investors, NEPZA will also give utmost priority to staff motivation, noting that, “the importance of staff motivation is something that cannot be over-emphasised.”
“We are committed to a new package of incentives for staff. There is a new pack package coming. You can bank on my word,” he added.
A statement by Simon Imobo-Tswam, Head, Corporate Communications Unit, NEPZA, said the NEPZA Boss is expected to take the reform message to the Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and the Emir of Kano, HRH Muhammad Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. Aside from visiting facilities at the KFTZ, Jime will also attend the opening session of the Kano State Economic Summit holding on Tuesday, May 23, 2017.
