Vincent Toritseju
Lagos — Chief Instructor/Training Assistance Team at the Nigerian Custom Service, NCS, Staff College, Navy Capt. SO Abduraheem, has described LADOL Free Zone as a success, which he said, is driven by the Zone’s operational plans.
Speaking at the LADOL Base when he led students on an Operational study tour of LADOL Free Zone, focused on ‘‘Effective Collaborative Effect of NSC and Other Relevant Stakeholders towards Enhanced National Security’’, Capt. Abduraheem, however, said the management of the facility needs to sensitize the oil & gas and maritime industries with a view to attracting more patronage.
The study has enhanced the officers’ perception of the workings of government security agencies.
He stated: “It was a warm reception, a lot of enlightening; lectures and presentations were given and a lot of questions we had have all been answered. I am sure the students will find all the information given beneficial in their research work and of course in their careers as they go forward.”
“We can see that LADOL’s success is based on its operating plans, which they had since their beginning. They (LADOL) need to do more so more people know who they are.”
Speaking in similar vein, a senior representative of the Nigerian Export Processing Zone Authority, NEFZA, Mr. Hamisu Musa Ahmed, explained that NEPZA promotes and facilitates local and international investment in Nigeria noting that the agency enjoys seamless and healthy relationship with other relevant government agencies such as Customs and Immigration.
He also confirmed that LADOL Free Zone is compliant and works well with NEPZA.
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Assistant Manager NEPZA, LADOL Free Zone, Vivian Sheriff Ighomaro, who made a presentation to the students, explained that Free Zones in Nigeria are the modality nations are using today to drive rapid economic growth.
Managing Director of LADOL, Dr. Amy Jadesimi, said that the success of LADOL and the ability of the Zone to strategically support a wide range of industries is due to the NEPZA Free Zone platform, adding that, ‘‘since the Zone was designated in 2006 it has provided an enabling environment which we understand the FGN is now replicating across the country’’.
She further stated: “LADOL, as is the case with all NEPZA Free Zones, operates within the ambit of established rules and regulations of NEPZA. NEPZA also brings other agencies into the Free Zone, including, Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, Nigeria Ports Authority, NPA, Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, and other relevant government agencies.
“When Free Zones are established, each Free Zone has a Free Zone gazette. So, there are gazetted rules and regulations, there is a LADOL Free Zone Gazette, but the Gazette is created by NEPZA, approved by them, and handed down to the zone.
“There is a very strict frame work in place and the Free Zone Management company is responsible for ensuring that the NEPZA rules and regulations as per the Gazette are adhere to on the ground in the Zone. There is also a NEPZA office in each Zone where the Management Company reports to NEPZA.”
