By Loveth Okoli
The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) says discussions are already underway for establishment of the first fully equipped and functional Medical Special Economic Zone (MSEZ) in Lekki, Nigeria.
Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, NEPZA’s Managing Director, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja when a delegation from Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) visited him.
The delegation, led by its National President, Hajiya Saratu Aliyu, had sought for NEPZA’s collaboration in trade and export processing.
Adesugba noted that the Lekki Free Trade Zone in Lagos State was earmarked as the site for the first fully equipped and functional Medical Special Economic Zone (MSEZ) in Nigeria.
According to him, when the MSEZ if finally established, it will provide world class, in-country healthcare comparable to what Nigerians seek abroad.
He further noted that the conceptualisation of the zone was done in response to the emergence of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic which many countries were ill-prepared for.
He noted that the pandemic had taken its toll on the economic and healthcare systems of even the most developed countries.
This, he said, had led everyone to re-evaluate and develop new strategies for building additional capacity in the medical arena.
“Nigeria is no exception to this.
“The MSEZ aims to reduce medical tourism from Nigeria, revitalise the health systems, create jobs and conserve foreign exchange.
“If approved, the project will be executed in partnership with the Lagos State Government (LASG) and the Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH).
“Discussions are already underway with high-level stakeholders and potential investors on the implementation arrangements for the zone which has been met with huge positive response.’’ he noted.
He disclosed that it had revised its strategic plan to include “to increase the number of functional and optimal SEZs’’ as one of its key goals.
Adesugba said that the revised plan was aimed at supporting President Muhammadu Buhari’s industrialisation agenda, upon his appointment as NEPZA’s managing director in July 2020.
He noted that the main strategy was the creation of SEZs models of global best practice by establishing world class “plug and play” technically-driven zones and providing an enabling environment for business in some thematic areas.
He listed the thematic areas as medical, mining, technology and agricultural areas.
To this end, he said that some of the six approved SEZ’s by the President, namely: Lekki Free Trade Zone, Lagos and Kwara States SEZs shall be developed into model zones.
“Two other zones, Funtua SEZ, Katsina State and Gombe SEZ, Gombe State will also commence preliminary studies,’’ he added.
“The Funtua SEZ in Katsina State is the proposed site for the Cotton and Textile SEZ whilst Ilorin SEZ in Kwara state has been earmarked for the Agricultural SEZ,’’ he said
Adesugba, however, promised to collaborate with NACCIMA to boost enabling environment for business and investment to thrive.
Aliyu had said that NACCIMA as the business organisation and umbrella body of the Organised Private Sector (OPS) had sought support of NEPZA for export.
The NACCIMA president said it needed NEPZA’s support in harnessing the opportunities inherent in export by its members.
“With NEPZA, our goods will be well packaged and processed for export,’’ she said.
