Adaobi Rhema Oguejiofor
Managing Director of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, has said that the Federal Government, through the licensing of the Deep Blue Industrial Park in Lagos, has commenced a deliberate regime for zero-fossil energy emission in the country.
Adesugba made this known in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by the Head of Media for NEPZA, Dr. Martins Odeh, following the handing over ceremony of the Declaration License to the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the New Free Trade Zone, Mrs. Anita Omoile.
The NEPZA Boss said that the Authority had fully keyed into the Federal Government’s “eco-friendly” initiative in the operation of the free trade zones’ ecosystem, stating that the government had made history with the approval of the first zero-fossil energy emission zone in the South-West region at Imoore, Amuwo-Odofin area of Lagos, which measures about 115,503 hectares.
In his own words, “this positions Nigeria as the leading continental hub for regional eco-friendly industrial activities and logistics services with free trade zone status. The new dispensation will still witness active manufacturing activities without the usual emission of destructive carbon energy into our space. This is in line with the Federal Government’s policy on promoting a green environment.”
According to him, the Deep Blue Industrial Park is a manufacturing space that promotes food processing, textile and garment production, renewable energy, and electric cars, as well as research & development services, with over 50 international enterprises ready to move to the site in earnest.
Mrs. Omoile, on her part, expressed satisfaction in the seamless and speedy manner in which the approval was given, adding that the Authority under the Management of Adesugba had taken the “ease of doing business” policy of the government to a new effective level.
“Our partners across the globe are enthused with the development and this shows that the country is beginning to create the right business environment to attract the needed Foreign Direct Investments,’’ she said.
According to her, the Industrial Park would generate over 10,000 jobs and inject an estimated $100 million, which is equivalent to N45.9 billion, annually into the economy.