The Managing Director of Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Hon. Emmanuel Jime, has assured staff of the Authority of a new welfare package, saying only a well-motivated staff can power NEPZA’s mandate of spearheading the process of Nigeria’s industrialisation.

JIme, who gave the assurance in Calabar, Cross River State while addressing NEPZA staff at the weekend, said the duty of marketing the Authority to the Nigeria and the international community was incumbent upon all staff, adding, however, that “only a well-motivated staff can key into the noble agenda.”

His words: “There is a new welfare package coming, I want to assure you. And it is not too long from now. One of the first things I did upon assumption of office was to set up a high-powered, management panel to look at the issue of welfare, salaries, promotions as well as contract staff, and advise me accordingly.

“So, I am committed to staff welfare. From my experience in public life, it is my understanding that only a well-motivated staff can enable NEPZA to achieve its mandate, and, hence, drive Nigeria’s twin-agenda of economic diversification and industrial growth.”

He added: “So, I am suing for the cooperation of all staff of the authority. Wherever they may be, we need to be on the same page. I have come into office with a dream, a dream about NEPZA taking Nigeria to the next level, and I urge you to identify with the new vision. And since history belongs to dreamers, join me – let us dream together for our country.”

On his trip to Calabar, Jime explained that it was part of his fact-finding and familiarization visits to the Free Trade Zones in the country to see things for himself so as to enable him formulate policy from a position of first-hand information.

“China’s economic magic is anchored around its innovations in the FTZs. And this is why we must market the concept to all industry stakeholders so as to remove all misconceptions, close all gaps and do away with red tape so that our FTZs can attain the roles envisioned for them in the regulatory framework.

Earlier, staff of the Authority in Calabar had appealed to the new managing director to prioritise staff welfare, and bring it at par with other sister-agencies in the country as a way of boosting morale and productivity.

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