The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) has announced that the $300 million (about ₦426 billion) Abuja Industrial Park will create an estimated 40,000 direct and indirect jobs when it becomes fully operational.
The Managing Director of NEPZA, Dr. Olufemi Ogunyemi, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday after inspecting the ongoing Free Trade Zone project at Idu Industrial Layout Phase IV in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Ogunyemi praised Zeberced, the company managing the project, for the steady pace of construction on the 250-hectare industrial park, which is expected to host more than 170 factories and significantly expand industrial and manufacturing activities in Abuja.
He said the investment aligns with the Federal Government’s drive to strengthen local manufacturing and increase exports.
“With this initiative, the administration has boosted the country’s manufacturing and export indices through a 300 million dollars investment,” Ogunyemi said.
According to him, the scale of the project validates President Bola Tinubu’s decision to approve the Abuja Industrial Park as a Free Trade Zone, adding that it will provide employment opportunities for thousands of young Nigerians while contributing to national economic growth.
The NEPZA boss, however, called on residents of neighbouring communities to safeguard the facility, stressing that a secure environment is essential for attracting and sustaining major investments.
He described the reported invasion of the industrial park by some youths from Jiwa on August 8 as unacceptable, alleging that part of the perimeter fence was pulled down to create an illegal access route into the zone.
“NEPZA shall not tolerate unilateral encroachment, destruction and theft in the zone, as such actions contravene Section 13(1) of the NEPZA Act,” he warned.
Ogunyemi noted that unauthorised access could expose investors to risks such as vandalism, theft, trespass and other security challenges capable of undermining confidence in the project.
He disclosed that NEPZA had already informed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the FCT Commissioner of Police about the security concerns and would collaborate closely with relevant authorities to strengthen protection around the industrial park.
The managing director also revealed that discussions would be held with Wike and the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, to improve the road network serving the industrial park.
He added that NEPZA would work with security agencies to identify those responsible for the reported incident, investigate any internal security lapses and assist the affected company in assessing losses caused by the disruption.
According to Ogunyemi, additional security measures, including improved perimeter fencing, installation of more CCTV cameras, floodlights and round-the-clock patrols, will be introduced to protect the facility.
“NEPZA reassures all current and prospective investors that the safety of personnel and assets remains our top priority,” he said.
He assured both local and foreign investors that the incident would not derail the authority’s commitment to positioning Nigeria’s Free Trade Zones as preferred destinations for global investment.
