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NASS, NEPZA, urge FTZs on need for strategic community regeneration

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The National Assembly and the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) are in agreement on the urgent need for Free Trade Zone Management Companies and their Enterprises to evolve a more impactful strategy for development and regeneration of their host communities.

This concession was reached on Monday when the Managing Director of NEPZA, Dr Olufemi Ogunyemi, led the members of the Senate Committee on Trade and Investment on a two-day inspection of activities of some Free Trade Zones located at the Lekki axis of Lagos State.

Sen. Sadiq Suleiman Umar, Chairman of the committee said that it was incumbent on the Free Trade Zone operators and their enterprises to continually assist host communities away from poverty.

Sen. Umar said the Federal Government was concerned on the current spiral `Corporate Social Responsibility’ interventions by the free trade operators in their host communities, adding that a well-defined and measurable approach was required for sustainable re-generation of the people.

“We are delighted with the enormous contributions of the scheme to our nation’s economy so far. From what we have seen, it is safe to say that the Lekki Quadrant provides the Free Trade Zone scheme with an excellent ambience which now serves as an economic gateway for our country.

The committee, and by extension, the National Assembly will be more gratified if the host communities are given more leverages to boost their prosperity in a measurable manner. For example, we want true data on the interventions as progressive reports on the wellbeing of beneficiaries and the impact such targeted actions have on the people.

“ The investors must also take deliberate steps at regenerating the entire Lekki environment in which they operate,’’ Sen. Umar said.
Dr Ogunyemi, while corroborating with Sen. Umar’s position, explained the need for speedy action by the Free Trade Zone operators across the country by adopting the Community Social Regeneration Concept without delay.

“We must continually give credit to His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu whose foresight led to the setting aside of the area for economic emancipation.

“So, the regeneration of the host communities will enhance more mutuality, respect, and sustainability in bridging the prevailing development gap around the free trade zone ecosystem.

`It is important to state that the operators are obliged to look after the well-being of their host communities to avoid encroachment and conflict. Let us not use the scheme to promote the unpopulartale of two cites’ of wealth and squalor.’’ He said.

Dr Ogunyemi, who is also the chief executive officer of NEPZA, explained that the scheme had in the last one year deliberately promoted the community regeneration concept to exponentially increase the impact and benefit of the scheme to the population.

The areas visited were the Lekki Free Zone (LFZ); the Dangote Free Zone Enterprise, DFZE (Dangote Refinery); Lagos Free Zone (LFZ); Lekki Deep Seaport’; and a host of other enterprises within the zones.

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FG Inaugurates Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit in Youth Ministry

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The Federal Government has inaugurated the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, in collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).


Speaking at the inauguration, the Permanent Secretary, represented by the Director of Education and Youth Development (EYD), Mr. Kabir Mohammad, described the event as a significant milestone in the Ministry’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance.


He expressed gratitude to the ICPC for its guidance and support in establishing the unit, acknowledging the dedication and hard work of the Ministry’s staff in making this initiative a reality since its separation from the Ministry of Sports.


“To the newly inaugurated members of the ACTU, I charge you to discharge your duties with integrity, professionalism, and commitment to excellence. Your role is critical in ensuring that our Ministry operates with transparency, accountability, and integrity,” Mr. Mohammad stated.He also urged Heads of Departments and Units to collaborate with the ACTU, particularly on integrity and compliance matters, noting that these areas are crucial to the annual performance evaluation of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in alignment with ICPC principles.


In his goodwill message, Mr. Olusegun Adigun, representing the ICPC Chairman, emphasized the importance of the ACTU in advancing the Ministry’s vision.


“Aligned with the Ministry’s vision of empowering Nigerian youth to succeed in all fields of life through dedication, unity of purpose, and commitment to national development, the ACTU will serve as a strategic instrument to support the Ministry in achieving its objectives through its mandated duties,” Mr. Adigun stated.

He further advised the Ministry’s leadership to create an enabling environment for the ACTU by granting it representation in standing committees, in accordance with the government circular Ref No: OHCSF/SPSO/CSTD/314, dated October 5, 2016.

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