By Felix Khanoba
The new Managing Director of the
Nigeria Export Process Zones Authority (NEPZA), Prof. Adesoji Adesugba on
Wednesday assumed office with a charge on staff to boost the agency’s
contribution to the country’s Gross National Product (GNP).
Adesugba, who gave this charge while
addressing NEPZA’s management staff in Abuja, said the organisation is well
positioned to play a major role in the nation’s post COVID-19 economic recovery
programmes.
In a statement made available
to newsmen in Abuja by Martins Odeh, Head, Corporate Communications, NEPZA,
Prof. Adesugba said the Authority’s success or failure would be measured by its
actions or inactions in this crucial period of economic downturn caused by the
prevailing pandemic.
He appealed to the management staff
to see his appointment as a blessing to the sector, adding that the workforce
must work as a team and one family to achieve any meaningful results.
“I have years of experience
working with government establishments. My exposure particularly to agencies
like Customs, Nigeria Export Promotion Council, Nigeria Investment Promotion
Commission, the National Association of Commerce, Industry, Mines and
Agriculture (NACCIMA), and as a legal practitioner has indeed made me an
industry player.
“I shall be bringing my
experience to bear so that we can support the government to improve on its
revenue drive, especially in the non-oil sector.
“I am prepared to run an open
process where the contribution of all shall be measured, tested and applied for
the overall good of the Authority,’’ Adesugba said.
On his part, Mr Bitrus Dawuk, the
out-gone acting Managing Director of NEPZA, said the management staff and the
workforce would cooperate with the new MD to take the agency to the zenith.
Dawuk expressed his appreciation for
the opportunity to serve, adding that he would take steps to galvanise support
for the MD to lessen his workload.
Earlier during the MD’s formal
inauguration, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi
Adebayo, expressed confidence in Adesugba’s capacity to deliver on the job and
challenged him to live up to expectations.
His words: “I once again
congratulate the new NEPZA MD on his appointment and we hope that you would not
disappoint the ministry.
“Remember that NEPZA is a
parastatal under the ministry, and therefore, must carry out aspirations of the
ministry that would help in growing our economy.
“NEPZA’s successes or failures
would always naturally rob-off on the ministry, so the ministry will not be
quiet when things are going wrong.”
