Cross River State Governor Sen Bassey Edet Otu, has welcomed the Managing Director (MD) of Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Dr Olufemi Ogunyemi and his team to the state.
Represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, Governor Otu on Thursday in Government House, Calabar, called on EPZ MD to intensify marketing efforts for Tinapa by directing potential investors to the business resort.
Nevertheless, he assured the NEPZA boss and his team of state government’s readiness to partner and give NEPZA the needed support to carry out hitch free operation.
Meanwhile, he has noted that if EPZ works, it is also to the state’s benefit because it will make other state owned facilities like Tinapa to work.
“I commended your unrelenting efforts in regards to your Corporate Social Responsibility to your host community and the people of the State,” Otu Remarked.
On his part, the Managing Director (MD) of Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Dr Olufemi Ogunyemi and his team, conveyed the warm regards of the Hon Minister of Trade and Investment Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite.
Dr. Ogunyemi expressed satisfaction with Governor Otu’s significant progress in various development sectors within a few months in office.
However, he listed the prompt payments of salaries of civil servants, pensioners and approve use of concrete for road construction as his major achievements.
In addition, he said others are installation of solar powered street lights across the three Senatorial District of the State, lifting bans on wood logging, ongoing building of fruit arcade and hosting the biggest street party in Africa and much more.
“All these achievements and more are possible because your adminstration undertook bold steps to reduce the customary problems and mobilize resources to achieve the ‘Peoples First’ projects in line with the ‘Renewed Hope’ Mantra of Mr President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,” the MD stated.
Furthermore, Ogunyemi said: “NEPZA and the Calabar Free Trade Zone are determined to give this government the needed support within the ambit of the law that established Free Trade Zones in Nigeria.”
Meanwhile, In the area of Corporate Social Responsibility, Dr. Ogunyemi added “NEPZA had built and donated several equipment to University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.”
Also, he told the Governor that NEPZA built Police Station, Technical Schools, and donated satellite communication equipment, 33KVA transformer to their host Community.
And they have also awarded scholarships to indigent students in the state amongst others.
In the other hand, he appealed to the state government to take advantage of their tax incentives to set up enterprises or groups of enterprises to harness viable economic benefits to boost the revenue generating base of the State.
Accompanied the NEPZA boss on the courtesy visit were the officials of the Calabar Free Trade Zone (FTZ) and Tinapa Business Resort Trade Zone.
Also, present during the visit were the Secretary to State Government, Prof Anthony Owan Enoh, the Commissioner for Industries, Dr. Mathias Angioha, Commissioner for Commerce, Dr. Mrs. Abigail Duke-Orok, and Commissioner for Information, Mr. Erasmus Ekpang,
Other participants included Commissioner for Culture and Tourism Development, Hon. Abuvakar Ewa, Commissioner for Transport, Pastor Ekpenyong Cobham and the Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Mr. Patrick Egbede.