NASS, NEPZA advocate strategies to empower free trade zone host communities

The National Assembly and the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority have urged operators of Free Trade Zones and their enterprises to devise and implement more impactful and sustainable strategies aimed at fostering the development, economic growth, and regeneration of the communities that host these zones.

They stressed that operators must ensure that their local environments benefit significantly from the presence of these businesses and that the social and infrastructure needs of the communities are adequately addressed.

This call was made after a two-day inspection of several Free Trade Zones located in the Lekki axis of Lagos State, led by the Managing Director of NEPZA, Dr Olufemi Ogunyemi, along with members of the Senate Committee on Trade and Investment.

The advice followed a thorough assessment of the operational impact of the companies on the surrounding areas, taking into account various environmental, social, and economic factors affected by their operations.

A statement issued by the NEPZA Head of Corporate Communications, Martins Odeh, on Thursday in Abuja, said the team visited the Lekki Free Zone, Dangote Free Zone Enterprise, Dangote Refinery, Lagos Free Zone, Lekki Deep Seaport, and several other enterprises within the zones.

In his address, the Chairman of the committee, Sen. Sadiq Suleiman Umar, emphasised that Free Trade Zone operators and their enterprises must continue to assist host communities in moving away from poverty.

Sen. Umar noted that the Federal Government was concerned about the current approach to “Corporate Social Responsibility” by the FTZ operators in their host communities, stressing that a well-defined and measurable strategy was required for the sustainable regeneration of these areas.

“We are pleased with the significant contributions of the scheme to our nation’s economy so far. From what we have seen, it is safe to say that the Lekki Quadrant provides the Free Trade Zone scheme with an excellent environment, now serving as an economic gateway for our country,” said Sen. Umar.

“The committee, and by extension, the National Assembly, will be even more gratified if the host communities are given more opportunities to boost their prosperity measurably.”
He continued, “For example, we want accurate data on the interventions, with progressive reports on the well-being of beneficiaries and the impact such targeted actions have on the people.”

Sen. Umar added that investors must take deliberate steps to regenerate the entire Lekki environment in which they operate.

Dr Ogunyemi, in agreement with Sen. Umar’s position, highlighted the need for swift action by Free Trade Zone operators across the country in adopting the Community Social Regeneration Concept without delay.

“We must continually credit His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose foresight led to the setting aside of the area for economic emancipation,” he said.

“Therefore, regenerating the host communities will enhance mutuality, respect, and sustainability, bridging the development gap within the Free Trade Zone ecosystem.”

Dr Ogunyemi, who is also the CEO of NEPZA, further explained that the scheme had, over the last year, actively promoted the community regeneration concept to exponentially increase its impact and benefits for the population.