The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority, NEPZA, has commended Zeberced, the Management Company of the Abuja Industrial Park, for accelerating work on the USD 300 million Free Trade Zone project in the FCT, even as it condemned the unlawful invasion of the zone by youths from Jiwa community.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive of NEPZA, Dr. Olufemi Ogunyemi, gave the commendation during a routine visit to the site in Abuja.
Dr. Ogunyemi, in a statement by Martins Odeh, Assistant Director/Head of Corporate Communications, said the accelerated construction has justified President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to license the Abuja Industrial Park as a Free Trade Zone.
“With this initiative, the administration has boosted the country’s manufacturing and export indices through a USD 300 million investment,” he said.
He noted that the 250-hectare park, located in Idu Industrial Layout Phase IV, is set to house over 170 factories and create roughly 40,000 jobs for Nigerian youths, while also opening up the FCT for massive industrial activities.
He urged host communities to protect the world-class project, stressing that “only a secure environment could attract investment of this magnitude.”
In a related development, Dr. Ogunyemi expressed displeasure over the action of Jiwa Youths who on 8th August unlawfully invaded the zone premises by pulling down a section of the perimeter fence to create an unauthorised access road.
He described the incident as “unacceptable and a direct attack on investor confidence” in Nigeria’s Free Trade Zones.
“While the Authority recognises the importance of maintaining harmonious relations with host communities and remains sensitive to legitimate concerns, NEPZA shall not tolerate unilateral encroachment, destruction, and theft in the zone, as such actions contravene Section 13(1) of the NEPZA Act,” he stated.
“For the umpteenth time, the public must understand that no person shall enter, remain in, or reside in a zone without the prior permission of the Authority.”
He warned that the breach has the potential to undermine investor confidence, disrupt industrial activities, and expose investment to vandalism, theft and other security threats.
Dr. Ogunyemi said NEPZA has alerted the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, and the FCT Commissioner of Police to grant the use of federal security infrastructure to address the emerging threats.
Other immediate steps include:
Meetings with the FCT Minister and Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, to discuss the road network around the Industrial Park.
Joint investigation with the Nigeria Police Force and the FCT to identify those responsible.
Full support to Zeberced for loss assessment and to address disruption to business.
Reinforcement of the perimeter fence, installation of additional CCTV, floodlights, and 24-hour patrols across the zone.
“NEPZA reassures all current and prospective investors that the safety of personnel and assets remains our top priority. This isolated incident will not deter the Authority’s commitment to making Nigeria’s FTZs the destination of choice for global investment,” Dr. Ogunyemi said.