Customs collaborates with NEPZA, OGFZA to enhance free trade zones
Story from Haruna YUSUF
The Acting Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi MFR, alongside his Management Team, held a productive meeting on July 28, 2023, with the Directors of Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) and Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority (OGFZA). The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the current state of trade in Nigeria and strategize on joint efforts to enhance the operations of Nigeria’s Free Trade Zones.
During the meeting, the Acting CG appreciated the visits of the two organizations to the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters, where they congratulated and expressed their support for his appointment. They also discussed mutual concerns regarding the future of trade in the country.
The Acting CG assured the NEPZA and OGFZA Directors that the Nigeria Customs Service is committed to working in accordance with trade facilitation policies that promote seamless business opportunities in the Free Zone Scheme. He emphasized that the Nigeria Customs Service considers the Free Zone Scheme as a crucial component of its operations.
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To address shared concerns, the Acting CG proposed the formation of a joint committee involving relevant stakeholders. This committee would work towards finding solutions and improving the Free Trade Zones.
Speaking to the NCBN Crew after the meeting, the Director of NEPZA, Prof. Adesoji Adesoba, expressed his delight with the Acting CG’s address and reaffirmed his dedication to working diligently towards the goal of enhancing Free Trade Zones.
In a separate interview, the Managing Director of OGFZA, Senator Tijjani Yahya Kaura, emphasized the necessity of collaboration between Free Trade Zones and the Nigeria Customs Service. He described the meeting with the Acting CG as fruitful and expressed his satisfaction with the commitment demonstrated by the Nigeria Customs Service in addressing their concerns.
Both organizations believe that their collaboration will create a “win-win” situation, transforming the narrative of Free Trade Zones in Nigeria and attracting investors to contribute to the country’s economic growth.
