NEPZA seeks collaboration with SIIFZ, Nigerdock on enhanced service delivery

The newly appointed Managing Director of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Mr. Emmanuel Jime, has commended the management of Nigeria’s first privately owned free zone, Snake Island Integrated Free Zone (SIIFZ) and leading indigenous energy services provider, Nigerdock, for their significant contributions to the growth and development of the energy sector.

Mr. Jime, during his recent familiarization tour to SIIFZ, where Nigerdock is located, said NEPZA was deeply impressed by the level of organisation and state-of-the-art infrastructure available at the free zone. He therefore expressed the readiness of NEPZA to collaborate with stakeholders across Nigeria to enhance service delivery and operations of free zones nationwide.

“I am truly pleased with this visit to the Snake Island integrated Free Zone (SIIFZ) facility. It was a very robust and sincere engagement which I am very grateful. I am looking forward to working with the management for better understanding, service delivery in a collaboration to advance the operations of free zones nationwide,” he said.

The NEPZA team comprising other senior officials were received by Chairman of SIMCO Free Zone Company, Al Haji Abdulahi Yusufu, alongside other top executives of SIMCO Free Zone Company, the management firm of SIIFZ.

SIMCO management used the occasion to congratulate NEPZA’s new leadership and noted that Snake Island Integrated Free Zone has consistently cooperated and complied with directives and policies set by the authority regulating free zones in Nigeria. After a tour of the facility, a brief presentation was made to the NEPZA team in a bid to familiarise the newly appointed Managing Director with SIIFZ and its operations.

According to Abdulahi, SIIFZ has 21 registered Free Zone Enterprises currently operating within the zone. These enterprises encompass a wide range of activities including full EPCIC contract delivery, manufacturing, corporate services, warehousing and logistics base services, pollution management and recycling, aviation services, heliport (including passenger terminals), engineering/design services, construction, fabrication, banking, ship maintenance & repairs along with an array of maritime support services. These enterprises operating in SIIFZ represent highly competent leaders of their industry with technically advanced capabilities who have brought and will continue to bring significant added value to SIIFZ and the Nigerian Economy.

SIMCO Free Zone Company urged NEPZA to make efforts towards addressing the general concerns of free zone stakeholders and take an active leadership role on all matters that concerns free zones operations in Nigeria.

The SIIFZ is situated at Tin Can Island Port, Apapa and has immediate access to the open sea. It was established in January 2005 when Presidential Approval was given on January 28th 2005 for a Free Trade

Zone and Port Development. SIIFZ operates under the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) Decree 1992 Decree No. 63 as recorded in the Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette No. 67 Vol. 79 dated 21st December 1992. SIIFZ and its management company SIMCO FZC were licensed by NEPZA on

April 4th 2005. SIIFZ became operational with effect from July 4th 2005.