Nigerian government uses FTZs to handle unemployment, insecurity – NEPZA

The Managing Director, Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Prof. Adesoji Adesugba says the Federal Government is committed to using the Free Trade Zone Scheme (FTZs) to reduce high unemployment indices in the country.

Prof. Adesugba, who made the remark when the District Head of Kerate, Kankara, Katsina State, Northern Nigeria, Mr Usman Kankara, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja added such industrial hubs could gradually quash the widespread insecurity across the country.

“President Muhammadu Buhari is quietly but diligently repositioning the country’s free trade zone scheme for it to contribute greatly to both our National Domestic Product and Gross Domestic Product respectively.

“The President is doing this with the revamping of decayed infrastructure in the two public zones in Kano and Calabar and by allowing for the establishment of new ones across the nation.”

According to him, “We are set to visit Katsina State in a fortnight to flag-off the Funtua Free Trade Zone dedicated for the production of cotton and fabrics for local consumption and exportation.”

“This zone when operational, will leverage on the cotton belt of the North West to commence active production of varieties of fabrics in commercial quantities.”

Prof Adesugba explained that no part of the country would be exempted from harbouring a type of zone, adding that many state governors were beginning to key into the zone business ecosystem to boost commerce, employment and revenues.

He said the zone scheme was a wonderful business concept aimed at speeding up industrialisation, noting that industries operating in both the private and public zones were providing an unimaginable number of dependable employment to job seekers.

“The Authority believes sincerely that the zone can be used to improve the economic situation we are in now. In fact, if the majority of our young people are gainfully engaged, the current security situation will improve dramatically. We, therefore thank the president again for approving the Funtau free trade zone as this will go a long way to stabilize the state and its environs,’’ Adesugba further said.

Mr Kankara had earlier expressed delight on Adesugba’s appointment as the managing director of NEPZA, describing him as a “square peg in a square hole” he also said the insecurity in the country could be hinged on the lack of sustainable employment for the young people, adding that NEPZA’s rebirth under Prof. Adesugba could speedily change the narrative.

“We are, therefore, eagerly waiting for the commissioning of the Funtua free zone. This wonderful business structure would no doubt boost commerce, production, employment, and income for our people,’’ he said.

Suzan O