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Full Text: OGFZA MD’s Opening Remarks at the 30th Anniversary of Free Zones Scheme in Nigeria
Opening Remarks by Sen. Tijjani Y. Kaura, MFR, Managing Director/CEO OGFZA, at the 30th anniversary of the Free Zones Scheme in Nigeria, on 30th November, 2022.
Protocols
His Excellency, the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR;
His Excellency, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, GCON;
Honourable Minister of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adebayo Adeniyi
Honourable Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, my predecessor in office here present
Honourable Ministers from fellow African countries
Members of the National Assembly here present
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Heads of Extra Ministerial Departments
Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, Managing Director/CEO of NEPZA
The Executive Secretary and Members of Africa Economic Zones who are here
The Executive Secretary, Nigeria Economic Zones Association and Chairman of the Planning Committee, Mr. Toyin Elegbede.
Leaders of the Organised Private Sector
Distinguished delegates, Gentlemen of the Press, Ladies and Gentlemen,
All protocols duly observed. Good morning.
It gives me immense pleasure to welcome you all most cordially to this historic event, the 30th anniversary of the Special Economic Zones Scheme in Nigeria.
I would like to specially welcome our international participants who have travelled into Nigeria to join us in commemorating this milestone celebration. I sincerely hope that you will find these events enjoyable and memorable.
The theme of this year’s event, “Nigeria Special Economic Zones Scheme: Evolvement, Challenges and Way Forward To Economic Growth and Sustainability” will open discussions that will benefit industry participants and Special Economic Zones in the continent.
The objectives of the scheme which encompass driving industrialization via export promotion, technology, skills and knowledge transfer, job creation, local and foreign direct investment attractiveness has however, not been without challenges over the years. Notwithstanding the enormous challenges, the FZ scheme has recorded significant milestones within the last thirty years.
Regardless of the achievements made so far, the scheme in Nigeria still lags in delivering key economic developmental indices compared to what has been attained by Free Zone schemes in other locations.
Thus, one of the expected take-aways from this anniversary is for all stakeholders to deliberate and interact with the aim of evolving a sustainable strategic and perspective roadmap that will enhance the development and attractiveness of scheme in Africa.
This conference offers us an opportunity to evaluate the status of the Free Zones Scheme, assess our performance since inception, and examine how we have evolved, then deliberate and collectively chart a growth-oriented approach to improving the scheme.
In these three (3) days, there would be presentations and exhibitions as well as panel sessions on the facets of the Special Economic Zones scheme. Through the lively discussions that will ensue, we will undoubtedly learn from each other, through the exchange of views, sharing experiences and appreciating critical contributors to the evolution, as well as the survival of the scheme in Nigeria.
The scheme has been used to boost economies of nations around the globe, while depleting African resources. We hope to change the tide and narrative in the spirit of shared prosperity, by harnessing the enormous human, intellectual and natural resource capacities that Africa is endowed with. In order to effectively harness these, we can no longer work in silos.
It may interest you to know that the earliest formal Free Zone Scheme in Africa started in 1885 when the Berlin Conference agreement was signed, but without an African representation. Specifically, the Niles, Congo and Niger Rivers were Free Trade Zones. Thanks to the African Continental Free Trade Agreement that is driven by Africans and geared towards achieving an African continental integrated economy.
I would like to thank and acknowledge everyone here today for being part of this historic event. As the Chief Executive Officer of the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA), it is a tremendous honour to play host to the African Special Economic Zones community and to hundreds of delegates from all over Africa. It is indeed a remarkable day for Africa, a major milestone in our drive to promote Special Economic Zones development in Africa.
Please permit me to express my sincere appreciation to my co – host the Managing Director of Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Professor Adesoji Adesugba, the Executive Secretary of Nigeria Economic Zones Association (NEZA) Mr. Toyin Elegbede who also doubles as the Chairman of the Planning Committee, and to all of you who generously contributed towards the successful organisation and hosting of this event.
Taking cognizance of our comparative advantage in the hydrocarbon sector, Nigeria established the first free zone dedicated to oil and gas in the world. This has tremendously contributed to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Income, in an unprecedented manner. Between 1996 and now, the zones have attracted over 200 Companies with over $16.6 billion and created over 200,000 direct and indirect jobs, thereby contributing to local content development. We are still open to partnership to develop the enormous potentials in the mid and downstream sectors in line with the Nigeria’s national development plan, with immediate emphasis on the Medium-Term National Development Plan,2021-2025, while providing model development centres for achieving the agenda 2063 of the African Union, in collaboration other international development partners.
At this point, I wish us all a successful celebration!!
Thank you!
