Free Trade Zone Operations : Customs in synergy with NEPZA, OGFZA

Free Trade Zone Operations :
Customs in synergy with NEPZA, OGFZA

In efforts to promote tangible trade facilitation for optimum economic growth, the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, CGC Bashir Adeniyi MFR, alongside his Management Team, had a strategic meeting with the Directors of Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), as well as Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority (OGFZA).

The meeting focused on the state of trade in Nigeria and how to join forces to take significant steps to improve Nigeria’s Free Trade Zones Operations.

The CGC during interaction with the two Agencies, appreciated them for visiting the Customs Headquarters to congratulate him on his appointment; even as he sought to review their mutual concerns on the future of trade in Nigeria.

He further assured that the Service, as one of the spines of Free Zone Scheme, will continue to work in line with the standard trade facilitation policies, in order to attract seamless opportunity for entrepreneurs to invest in free Zones scheme in Nigeria.

The CGC however, assured the Agencies of Customs commitment to work with them. He said, “We need to constitute a joint committee between us and some relevant stakeholders to address our common concerns.”

Speaking shortly after the meeting, the Director of NEPZA, Prof. Adesoji Adesoba, said that he was personally elated by the way the CGC addressed them and expressed readiness to work assiduously towards achieving their target of improving Free Trade Zones.

However, in a separate interview, the Managing Director of OGFZA, Senator Tijjani Yahya Kaura, described the collaboration between the Free Trade Zones and Customs as necessary, adding; “our meeting with the CGC is fruitful, as it revolves around proffering solutions to our common issues. I am happy that the CGC is committed to addressing them.”

The Agencies see their coming together as a ‘win-win’ situation that would change the narrative of Free Trade Zones in Nigeria and attract investors to Nigerian shores.