Customs, NEPZA to work for development of non-oil sector

The Nigerian Customs Service, NCS and Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority, NEPZA, are to work together for the development of the non-oil sector of the economy in line with the administration’s economic diversification policies.

The agreement for collaboration was reached in Abuja at the office of the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (rtd) when the Managing Director of Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority, NEPZA, Hon. Emmanuel Jime, paid him a courtesy visit.

The two Federal Government agencies have set up a technical committee to deepen their collaboration and synergy in order to achieve the goal of utilization of the free zone platform to revitalize the nation’s industrial base.

Ali said both agenices have taken a common position towards strengthening their collaboration in order to deliver their own quota to the nation.

He noted that both government agencies are serving under the leadership of President of this country and therefore belong to the same government. He pointed out that the agreement to strengthen the collaboration to deliver their mandate.

Responding, the Managing Director of NEPZA, Emmanuel Jime, pointed out that the Nigeria Customs Service is a key component in the effective and efficient operation of the ONE-STOP-SHOP service of the Free Zones scheme. 

According to him, “This is why the NEPZA Act makes it mandatory that there must be a representative of the Nigeria Custom Service on the Board of the Authority at all times. It may therefore, not be asking too much, for a more robust synergy and collaboration between two agencies in the discharge of their duties on site.  

“One of the key economic policies of the present administration is to diversify the economy by developing the non-oil sector, and the chief enablers of achieving the goal is the utilization of the free zone platform to revitalize the country’s industrial base, enhance productivity, and ensure food security for the nation.

“The Federal Government recently announced its plan to establish 6 Special Economic Zones in the 6 geo-political zones of the country. The aim of this effort is to build our economy and increase our foreign reserves and put us on a stronger base among the comity of nations. 

“The Nigeria Free Zones/Special Economic Zones/Industrial clusters cannot succeed and achieve the desired goal without the help of the Nigeria Customs Service. It is in line with this that I and my team have come here today, to seek your co-operation and support in our drive to make Nigeria better. NEPZA cannot do it alone.

“During my familiarization tour to all the Free Zones on my appointment as the Managing Director, I observed that there are a number challenges with our operations that requires synergy and cooperation by the NCS in order to achieve optimal performance and efficient service delivery to achieve one-stop-shop on site.”  

Some of the challenges Hon. Jime pointed out are inadequate knowledge of Free Zones/Special Economic Zones by Nigeria Customs Service officers and frequent re-deployment of NCS officers to the Free Zones thereby affecting its smooth operations. 

He said further that the issue of NCS officers not having adequate authority to take decisions promptly on free zone matters thereby causing unnecessary delays. 

He also said bridge of NEPZA procedure by NCS officers by dealing directly with free zone investors rather than through NEPZA as well the Lekki FTZ Customs Processing Center (CPC), which was just recently commissioned, should be made functional.    

Hon. Jime pleaded for continues training of NCS officers on free zones/special economic zones matters. Free Zone curriculum should be included in training schools of the NCS as well as holding stakeholders forum periodically to resolve free zone issues arises from time to time.