The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have agreed to strengthen collaboration in managing activities within the nation’s Free Trade Zones, in line with the Federal Government’s one-stop-shop policy framework.
The understanding was reached during a phone conversation between the Managing Director of NEPZA, Dr Olufemi Ogunyemi, and the NDLEA Chairman, Brig Gen Buba Marwa (retd.).
A statement by NEPZA’s Head of Corporate Communications, Martins Odeh, after the phone conversation on Monday, said the talks followed complaints that some drug law officers were allegedly insisting on inspecting all containers destined for certain Free Trade Zones.
Ogunyemi said the practice ran contrary to the one-stop-shop framework, which was designed to streamline regulatory processes and boost investor confidence.
He stressed the need for agencies operating within the FTZ ecosystem to work in harmony.
“As you know, the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority is a government agency responsible for licensing, monitoring, regulating, and facilitating investment into Nigeria’s Free Trade Zones. The Authority has been performing these duties for over 30 years.
“In recognition of the vital role that key sister agencies like the NDLEA play in maintaining order in drug-related issues in Nigeria, we find it necessary to insist on the agency’s presence in the Free Zones whenever required,” Ogunyemi said.
The NEPZA boss reaffirmed that the NEPZA law stipulated that involvement in Free Trade Zone operations by some agencies of government should be on a need basis.
According to him, the NEPZA Act mandates the Authority to invite the NDLEA for a joint inspection of goods and containers in areas where suspicions are raised to ensure transparency.
Ogunyemi further affirmed a shared commitment to eliminate any violations of Nigeria’s laws within Free Trade Zones.
He, therefore, expressed deep appreciation to the NDLEA boss for his dedicated and thorough service to the country, adding that the drug law agency had performed well under his leadership so far.
Gen Marwa, on his part, called for greater cooperation between the NDLEA and NEPZA to continually promote a healthy and drug-free business environment in the Free Trade Zones.
“The two agencies must henceforth intensify collaboration to fulfil their mandates without interfering with each other’s work,” he said.
The two chiefs further pledged to work within the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government, which emphasises inter-agency cooperation, integrity, and good corporate governance to foster economic revitalisation through the free trade scheme.
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