IN a bid to
fast-track its plan on economic diversification, the Federal Government is set
to establish satellite industrial centres across the six geo-political zones of
the
country.
The establishment of these industrial centres,
which would be anchored by the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA ),
is expected to commence immediately after the passage of the 2017
budget.
Speaking
with journalists in Lagos, the new Managing Director, NEPZA, Mr. Emmanuel Jime,
said the establishment of the centres will serve as a catalyst toward the
diversification of the economy and the promotion of backward integration.
“The present administration’s desire is for
the economy to fully diversify and this is the reason the president has ordered
the creation of the satellite industrial centres in the six geo-political zones
across the country.
“And for this to happen, NEPZA has been given
the directive to anchor this, which will take effect as soon as the budget is
passed,” Jime said.
Sun news reported that Jime who took over the leadership of NEPZA
last week said the agency will do everything to put the country in the right
direction with the diversification of the economy through manufacturing for
domestic market and export.
“As we know, NEPZA is a creation of Act 63 of
1992, with mandate to licence, regulate and monitor free zones in Nigeria. Our
plan now is to focus on the generation of employment, technology transfer and
skill acquisition. Also, we will do everything to attract more Foreign Direct
Investment (FDI) through aggressive marketing,” Jime said.
He stated that creating an attractive
environment for manufacturers through measures such as tax breaks, export
incentives and finances, is high on the government’s agenda in line with its
broader aim of increasing local production.
“Producers need assurance that if they produce
locally, their products will enter the local value chain, and we are createing
the condition for that,” he said, adding that NEPZA will work hand in hand with
other sister agencies to ensure smooth operations for manufacturers.
Jime said the primary engine for growth and
development of any economy is the organised private sector, while government is
required to provide the enabling environment. This, according to him, could be
in the form of appropriate intervention namely, legal framework, policies and
programmes that will support investment, provision of physical infrastructure
like power and road network, security and a stable polity, among others.
“Moreover,
since we operate a mixed economy, the government is required to intervene in
the provision of social amenities or services, where it is proven that if left
entirely for the organised private sector, the cost will be too heavy for the
average consumer to bear,” he said.
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