Our Free Trade Zones hold the key to Nigeria’s industrial take-off –Hon. Jime

The Managing Director of Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Hon. Emmanuel Jime, has declared that the nation’s industrial take-off is tied to the performance of her Free Trade Zones (FTZs) across the country.

Jime, who spoke Sunday  in Kano, said much of the successes of the Asian Tigers like China, Singapore, Taiwan and even the United Arab Emirates was a function of the innovative FTZs, and assured that  under his watch the Free Zones would be repositioned.

The NEPZA Managing Director also broke with tradition by reiterating that his public service stewardship is modelled after the examples of late Prof. Dora Akunyili and Dr. Ernest Ndukwe.

Both the late Akunyili and Ndukwe left lasting impressions at the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) respectively where they served as chief executive officers.

Jime, who spoke at a meeting with the management and staff of the Kano Zone of the Authority, stressed the importance of value-adding leadership, pointing out that “what Nigeria needs now is a leadership that speaks less and does more.”

His words: “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. I am determined that under my watch, NEPZA will superintend the repositioning 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.”

Jime went on: “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 of 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.

“So, I urge the Kano Zone of the Authority as well as NEPZA staff nationwide to key into this New Order by becoming the chief marketers of NEPZA and her mandate, both at the  individual and collective levels.”

On the issue of staff welfare and a new salary structure, Jime said it would be counter-productive to incentivise investors without incentivising staff, adding “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 package coming. You can bank on my word,” he added.

Activities lined up for him include courtesy calls on both the Kano State Governor and the Emir of Kano, HRH Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

Others are a tour of the facilities at the KFTZ and attending the opening session of the Kano State Economic Summit on Tuesday.

Jime and his team will return to Abuja on Wednesday.