NEPZA To Support LADOL’s Agric, Health Free Zone Initiative

The Managing Director of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, has reaffirmed its readiness to support LADOL Free Zone expansion in attracting Agricultural Processing and Healthcare Companies into the Zone.

MD Prof. Adesugba made this known during an official tour of the Zone on Tuesday.

According to a statement made available to our correspondent on Wednesday, Prof Adesugba was joined on his familiarisation tour by top management of NEPZA, many of whom were familiar with LADOL having worked with the Zone for the last 16 years.

The NEPZA boss stated that LADOL’s development of infrastructure and facilities for logistics, now being expanded to support a wide range of industries, is both strategic for the company and for Nigeria.

He noted that: “More than one billion dollar is spent by Nigerians going abroad for medicals tourism every year and that is an opportunity for us now that nobody can travel to attract very good investment in this sector and to get the hospital to come very close to us in Nigeria by using the Free Zone strategy.

“This is one area we will be very happy to work with you [LADOL] in promoting. Also, the very important aspect of Agriculture Free Zone. I am happy that you are thinking in that direction.”

He further explained that he had assumed the leadership position of the agency at a time when COVID-19 pandemic was ravaging the world, necessitating a holistic strategy towards medical tourism using Free Zone approach in Nigeria.

In agriculture, Prof Adesugba further commended LADOL initiative in setting up more cold store facilities, which he suggested could also service the fishing industry in Nigeria, which he identified as a key opportunity for private sector owing to the significant amount of fish Nigerians consume annually.

Prof. Adesugba, reiterated the importance of maintaining a harmonious, seamless working relationship between NEPZA and its sister agencies in Free Zones.

Such harmony will ensure that Free Zones can contribute significantly to Nigeria’s economic growth and meet government objectives of encouraging industrialisation. Strengthening of the NEPZA Free Zone scheme will make Nigerian industries highly competitive, especially in the light of the recently signed Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement.

Also, he expressed satisfaction in LADOL efforts keeping a healthy relationship with NEPZA and all the government agencies in the zone.

“I have also thought about the reason why government set up NEPZA… because they are supposed to be geographic enclaves that operate with the same rules and standards of other Free Zones across the world.”

Prof Adesoji Adesugba stated that Nigeria as country was very serious and committed to industrialisation and ensuring that finished goods are not dumped in the country. Industrial and logistics developments such as LADOL are key to this. The managing Director pledged that NEPZA would encourage you (LADOL) more than they have done before.

Managing Director of LADOL, Dr. Amy Jadesimi notes that Prof. Adesoji Adesugba was more than qualified to take NEPZA to the next level.

She expressed gratitude on behalf of the board, staff and Management for the visit and committed that they would all continue the development of LADOL to achieve the mission and vision of making Nigeria the Industrial Hub for Africa.