FG directs NEPZA to make CFTZ pilot industrial city

The Federal Government has given directives to the Nigeria Export Processing Zone Authority (NEPZA) to make Calabar Free Trade Zone a pilot industrial city in the country.

The new managing director of NEPZA, Emmanuel Jime disclosed this in Calabar yesterday during a courtesy visit to Cross River State governor, Senator Ben Ayade.

He said in order to make Calabar an economic hub, President Muhammadu Buhari has chosen Calabar as one of the cities benefit from such activities. Jime disclosed that they enterprises within the Calabar Free Trade zone have investments worth over $450 Million and that, at least, 11,000 direct employment has been guaranteed.

He said “NEPZA was having tremendous interferences by the state government agencies in its activities, especially from the duties collected in respect of Wharf landing fees and other levies which he said are at variance with their Act No. 63 of 1992.

He noted that the 98 hectares of land donated by the administration of Mr Donald Duke which was revoked by his successor, Liyel Imoke has hindered the growth and development of the Zone.

Reacting, the Governor also appealed for collaboration with the Zone and directed relevant unit of his government to immediately restore the agency demands.

The governor also assured the federal agency that his government will help to dredge Calabar seaport as requested by Jime to enable bigger vessels to navigate it as way of allowing many more business corporations, investors and partners to come into the zone.

Frowning at the development in the zone, Ayade demanded that the agency should encourage the payment of Pay As You Earn tax (PAYE) by the enterprises operating in the zone.