Government To Review
Operations Of Free Trade Zones
The
Nigerian Government has expressed dissatisfaction with the
current arrangements in Nigeria free trade zones. And to
re-align them towards the nation's objective of growing the
economy, it has commissioned experts on the review of the
existing structure.
At the end of the report, government is expected to decide how
to re-organise, re-structure, modify, and change the rules and
laws that guide them to ensure that Nigeria gets maximum benefit
from the structure that government has created.
Minister of Commerce and Industry, Charles Ugwu, who made these
revelations at a chat with newsmen, stressed that government was
determined to strengthen operations of the zones and improve the
economy so that businesses will move forward.
Though nothing was said about the nature of the restructuring to
be evolved after the report, reports say the government was
looking towards harmonising the operations of the Nigerian
Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) and the Onne Oil and
Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA).
The minister assured during the chat, however, "there is no body
that it is targeted. There is no body that is made subservient.
What we are working on is what is in the best interest of our
country so that we can operate the organisations."
He explained, "with regards to NEPZA, they have been very
efficient. They have been very good in some areas and a number
of free trade zones and free enterprise zones have been set up
in the country. We have about 25 at the moment”.
NP/MICHAEL
