FAAN suspends issuance of licenses on Free Trade Zones

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has with immediate effect suspended the issuance of licenses to applicants in the free trade zones at the nation’s airports until the conflicts in the regulatory framework between it and the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) are resolved.

Suspending the issuance of new licenses to intending free trade zone applicants, the managing director of FAAN, Captain Rabiu Yadudu said at the Lagos Airport alone, there were presently two free trade zone operators, while additional two companies have applied.

He explained that as it stands today, all the five international airports in the country have been designated as free trade zones and warned that if not well-regulated, it may be a big challenge for the country in the future.

This came just as key players in the free trade zone in Nigeria have decried how the federal government’s inconsistent policies and lack of infrastructure had led to the death of Tinapa Resort in Cross River State.

The managing director of FAAN, Captain Rabiu Yadudu stated this on Thursday at the ongoing maiden edition of the FAAN National Aviation Conferences (FNAC) on the topic: ‘Advancing the Frontiers of Possibilities for Safe, Secure and Profitable Air Transport’.

Participants at the conference lamented the bad state of Tinapa, which they said would have boosted the Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) in the country if the government had been consistent with its policies on the resort.

Speaking on the topic: ‘Special Economic Zones at the Airports and Trade Facilitation: Growing Revenue and the National GDP,’ various speakers called for policy harmonization by government agencies in order to ensure smooth growth.

General Manager, Vicven Integrated Services, Mr Obinna Emeazo and one of the panellists decried the massive rots in Tinapa, which they said were simply due to government summersaults and lack of infrastructure at the resort.

According to him Emeazo, Tinapa was designed to flourish with the approval of $5,000 worth of goods for local consumers but was later brought down to $330, thereby discouraging investors.

Emeazo while complaining on the change in policy by the government had negatively impacted the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), especially in the area of exports declared: “Tinapa Resort started well and so many investors were attracted by the benefits, but along the line, it was brought down to $330, which led to the dwindling of the growth of the resort.

“Everyone especially tourists goes to Tinapa for shopping and to enjoy their holidays. So, it is inconsistent on the part of the government. You brought out policies that attracted investors and in mid-way, you change such policies. If they have to focus on the special economic zones, we have to make it right. NEPZA must stand its feet and make it strong. The regulations must be strong.

“If you cannot manufacture, you cannot export. How much are you able to attract? When last did you hear about Tinapa? It is still at the elementary stage and one would have expected that it would have gone beyond that.”

He identified multiple regulations between FAAN and NEPZA as one of the major factors slowing down the growth of free trade zones in the country, stressing that both agencies had to harmonise their policies for the progress of the country.

His words: “NEPZA has to show strong leadership and must be able to show strong collaboration with other agencies. You have the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), which is tax; there is still an argument on the tax investors enjoy. Some states still come to tell the investors to pay tax. They should be able to bring all the states together.

“In their board of directors, you see all the government agencies like customs, finance ministry, FIRS and others, yet you do not see a strong stakeholder like FAAN. At the level of implementation, FAAN will tell you it is against its own approval”.

Yadudu, therefore, urged that FAAN and other relevant authorities like the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) should be represented on the board of NEPZA to be able to address the challenges in the system.

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FAAN suspends issuance of licenses on Free Trade Zones