NEPZA ORDERS ACTION AGAINST ILLICIT CONTAINER IMPORTS IN FREE ZONES
Read Time:2 Minute, 25 Second
By:Aminat Tajudeen
The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority has announced stricter enforcement measures against the alleged illegal importation of containers into Free Trade Zones, warning operators involved in unlawful activities to face sanctions under Nigerian law.
The authority said the measures would include intensified inspections, closer examination of import and export documents, and coordinated enforcement operations with relevant government agencies.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NEPZA, Olufemi Ogunyemi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by the authority’s Head of Corporate Communications, Martins Odeh.
Ogunyemi said licences granted to Free Trade Zone operators were not simply permits to conduct business but came with a legal responsibility to comply with the regulations governing the zones.
He said NEPZA was immediately strengthening its enforcement approach in response to allegations of illegal container imports into controlled areas.
According to him, the measures would involve increased inspections, stricter document verification, collaboration with partner enforcement agencies and the enforcement of penalties prescribed by law.
Ogunyemi warned operators against circumventing import and export procedures, mis-declaring goods or moving containers through unauthorised channels, saying such violations would attract regulatory action.
The NEPZA chief said the action formed part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to strengthen controls across Nigeria’s trade and investment corridors while maintaining Free Trade Zones as platforms for manufacturing, exports, investment and job creation.
He explained that although the free zone regime provides approved businesses with specific customs and fiscal incentives, operators are still required to comply with the conditions of their licences and applicable regulations.
Ogunyemi said the latest measures were aimed at protecting legitimate businesses and preventing illegal activities from damaging confidence in the Free Trade Zone scheme.
He stressed that NEPZA would enforce its regulations fairly, noting that compliant businesses should not be affected by the actions of a few operators.
The NEPZA boss said businesses found culpable would face the appropriate legal consequences, while operators cleared of wrongdoing would be allowed to continue their activities.
He added that most businesses operating within the zones remained compliant and continued to contribute to economic activities, insisting that enforcement efforts should not create the impression that all operators were under suspicion.
Ogunyemi also encouraged operators and zone management to strengthen internal monitoring and self-policing mechanisms to promote compliance.
He noted that the Free Trade Zone scheme continued to contribute revenue to the government and urged NEPZA, other government agencies and operators to protect its reputation.
The latest enforcement drive follows concerns over alleged abuse of the free zone regime, including the diversion of goods into the domestic market and attempts to bypass customs and other regulatory requirements.
NEPZA said the strengthened oversight would help ensure that incentives provided to free zone operators were used for their intended purposes and that the movement of goods into and out of the zones remained properly regulated.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0