James Emejo in Abuja
The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) and the Cross River State Government have agreed to work out a realistic modality to revive the moribund Tinapa Free Trade Zone (FTZ) owned by the state.
The agreement was reached when the new NEPZA Managing Director, Dr. Olufemi Ogunyemi paid a courtesy visit to Governor Bassey Otu in Calabar.
Ogunyemi expressed delight at the state’s desire to revamp the unique free trade zone ostensibly established to service the entertainment industry.
He said, “First, let me appreciate the excellent achievements already recorded by the Governor Bassey Otu-led administration which will now holistically reposition the state for the attraction of investments and for industrialization.
“We have seen how the administration’s effort at preserving life and property in the state is yielding the desired result, including ensuring that Calabar is relisted among attractive spots for large scale business activity.”
He said NEPZA was prepared to extend expertise and cooperation to ensure that the desire of the administration to revamp the almost moribund Tinapa Free Trade Zone is realised.
In a statement issued by the Head, Corporate Communications, Dr. Martins Odeh, the MD also solicited the state government’s intervention on the activities of unwanted tax operators in the state whose actions regularly impugn on the incentives the NEPZA Act had granted freezone operators and enterprises within the zones.
On his part, Otu, expressed delight on the visit of the NEPZA managing director, adding that the administration was opened for a more robust cooperation with the authority.
The governor said no state government that was desirous of speedy growth through economic development would loosely identify with NEPZA, adding that the state partnership with the authority would become tighter and more meaningful henceforth.
Represented by his deputy, Mr. Peter Odey, the governor solicited NEPZA’s assistance and cooperation in order to revamp the Tinapa Free Trade Zone without further delay.
He said, “The state has reconfigured the strategy for Tinapa and Obudu Cattle Ranch to meet up with global standards, competition, and for profitability. We therefore, urge the new NEPZA management, led by Dr Olufemi Ogunyemi to please review the accumulated unpaid Tinapa Licence Renewal fees.
“This gesture is needed to help direct our limited funds toward redeveloping the zone due to its vandalization during the @EndSars national protest
