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FG Licences Eight Free Zones To Boost Revenue

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10 years ago

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Indication has emerged that the Federal Government has licensed Eight Free Zones in the country to operate in order to boost government’s revenue generation.
Speaking to The Tide in Port Harcourt on Friday, a Senior Liaison Officer of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) Mr. Lawal Bashorun, said the newly Licensed Free Zones will help to fast-track revenue generation and enhance efficiency of the Free Zones authority.
Bashorun said he was in Port Harcourt on assessement of the operational guidelines of the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority with a view to setting proper operational guideline for the newly licensed free zones.
He said the newly Licensed Free Zones have started to attract investments already, stressing that these Free Zones will provide solid foundation for a stronger economy and greatly improve the standard of living of Nigerians.
Bashorun said the federal government approved the establishment of the new Free Zones based in the methodology and operational guidelines put in place for assessing the Free Zones authority.
He said the newly Licensed Free Zones include, the Centenary City Free Zone specifically approved for business and Tourism Destination, Ogogoro Industrial Park Lagos, for Oil and gas-related activities, Nigeria International Commerce City, Lagos, Badagry Creek Industrial Park Lagos.
Others are Nigeria Aviation handling Company (NAHCO) Free Zone Lagos, Dangote Refinery/Petro-Chemical park Lagos, Lekki Deep Sea Port currently under Lagos Free Trade Zone Lagos, Samsung Heavy Industries and Mega Construction Integrated under the management of LADOL and Free Zone.
The NEPZA official said the agency is seeking the views of stakeholders  on the appropriateness of establishing Kogi Industrial Park to accommodate the Kogi Automotive Industrial Cluster.
Bashorun said NEPZA is discussing with the federal government for the establishment of another Free Zone in Cross Rivers.
He explained that foreign partners are ready to invest in the Free Zones especially Japan’s government which has proposed to help develop an Authomative Council in Calabar in conjunction with major stakeholders.
He enjoined Nigerians to support stakeholders in the authomative council for the much needed revenue generation to be realizable.

General Manager, Bayelsa CSDA, Eve O. Oboro (left) with Head of Operations CDDS - Piu, Mr. Samuel Dabipisimaka (right) at the two days workshop and training for LGRC/Desk Officers organized by Rivers State Ministry of Chieftaincy and Community Affairs in collaboration with SEEFOR Rivers State Community Driven Development Social (CDDS) Piu at Ministry of Justices.

General Manager, Bayelsa CSDA, Eve O. Oboro (left) with Head of Operations CDDS – Piu, Mr. Samuel Dabipisimaka (right) at the two days workshop and training for LGRC/Desk Officers organized by Rivers State Ministry of Chieftaincy and Community Affairs in collaboration with SEEFOR Rivers State Community Driven Development Social (CDDS) Piu at Ministry of Justices.

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NPA Assures On Staff Welfare 

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2 weeks ago

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June 27, 2025

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The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has said the management will continue to accompany its port infrastructure  and equipment  modernization drive  with the development of the welfare of its personnel.
Dantsoho made the disclosure recently while responding to the commendation by the Maritime Workers Union (MWUN) and the senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASGOC) on the  clearing  of the age-long problem of employee stagnation, when the union paid him a courtesy visit at the Authority’s headquarters in Lagos.
A Statement by NPA’s General Manager Corporate & Strategic Communications, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara, quoted Dantsoho as saying,  “our Port infrastructure and equipment modernization drive will go hand-in-hand with continuous staff welfare improvement”.
The NPA MD disclosed that human capital development constitutes the key strategy for creating and sustaining superior performance under his watch, adding that “talent development constitutes a critical success factor for the actualization of the big hairy audacious goals we have set for ourselves especially in the area of Port competitiveness.
“The only way we can meet and indeed exceed stakeholders’ expectations is to deepen the competencies of our human resources assets and boosting their morale.”
Speaking further, Dantsoho commended the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for approving the strategic proposal of the Dantsoho-led Management team that solved the over a decade-long problem of lack of promotion that had fuelled industrial disharmony.
“I must specially appreciate our amiable Minister for graciously approving the multi-pronged stratagem we deployed that cleared all outstanding cases of employee stagnation by conducting examinations in one fell swoop and instituted timelines to forestall a recurrence of such anomaly”, he sad.
Speaking on behalf of the joint maritime labour unions, the President  of Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations & Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), Comrade Bodunde stated, “In addition to clearance of the backlog of stagnated promotions, we also wish to express our appreciation for the increase in productivity bonuses, provision of end-of-year welfare packages for staff, and the revision of the Financial Guide to the Condition of Service, which now addresses our members’ concerns about inflationary pressures.”
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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ANLCA Chieftain Emerges FELCBA’s VP

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2 weeks ago

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June 27, 2025

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National Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Elder Olumide Fakanlu, has been elected Vice President of the Federation of ECOWAS Licensed Customs Brokers Association (FELCBA).
The election took place during the FELCBA Congress, held from Tuesday, June 17th to Thursday, June 19th, 2025, in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Fakanlu’s emergence as Vice President marks a significant achievement for Nigeria within the regional customs brokerage community.
Apart from Fakanlu, Secretary of the Seme Chapter of ANLCA, Austin Nwosu, was also elected, securing the role of Secretary of Relations with Institutions.
The Nigerian delegation played an active role in the congress, with Michael Ebeatu nominated as a member of the electoral officer team, ensuring a fair and transparent election process.
The three-day congress concluded with delegates undertaking a visit to the Sierra Leone Port, offering insights into the host nation’s maritime operations, followed by a recreational trip to the Tokeh Beach.
The newly elected executives are expected to lead FELCBA in its efforts to harmonize customs brokerage practices, promote trade facilitation, and advocate for the interests of licensed customs brokers across the ECOWAS sub-region.
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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NSC, Police Boost Partnership On Port Enforcement 

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2 weeks ago

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June 27, 2025

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In a bid to enhance more enforcement in the nation’s Port, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has reaffirmed its commitment to stronger inter-agency collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The Council said the collaboration is aimed at enhancing stronger enforcement, compliance and improve operational efficiency across Nigeria’s ports.
Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of  NSC, Dr. Pius Akutah, made this known during a visit to the  Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The visit, which he said, focused on strengthening institutional synergy, comes in the wake of growing responsibilities for the NSC under the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Akutah emphasized the critical role of security agencies in supporting port operations and ensuring regulatory compliance.
He called for the posting of police officers to assist the Council’s monitoring and enforcement teams at key port locations including Lagos, Warri, Onne, Port Harcourt, and Calabar.
“The posting will complement the activities of our revived task teams and enhance our ability to enforce standards across the maritime logistics chain”, he said.
Earlier, the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Egbetokun, assured the Council of the Force’s readiness to continue supporting the growth of the maritime sector.
The IGP acknowledged that compliance enforcement is essential to the successful implementation of Nigeria’s Blue Economy objectives.
“The NSC and NPF are expected to deepen collaboration in the months ahead, with a shared focus on building a secure, efficient, and competitive port environment”, to the IGP emphasized.
Chinedu Wosu
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