“Govt, Provide Conducive Environment for free trade zones”- LADOL

The Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics (LADOL), one of the key players in the nation’s Free Zones has called on the Federal Government to provide needed infrastructure and conducive environment for free trade zones businesses to thrive in the country.

Chairman of LADOL, Mr. Ladi Jadesimi stated this while addressing newsmen at the exhibition organised for companies that are into logistics, maritime as well as the oil and gas services in Nigeria and the West African Sub-region.

The exhibition held at Eko Hotel, attracted various companies from the maritime, manufacturing, logistics and energy sectors.
Some of the companies included Multimix Academy, Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority, Serve Consulting, Four Points By Sheraton, Saima Nigeria Limited, Snake Island Integrated Free Zone, Fortune Global Shipping and Logistics limited, DHL, Cares Oil and Gas Services, Murphy Shipping and Commercial Services among many others.

Mr. Ladi Jadesimi stressed that local firms operating in the maritime sector of the economy, as well as the oil and gas sectors should be given needed support to thrive.

According to him, such platform would pave the way for rapid economic growth and development, and would also assist government in curbing poverty by creating jobs for the citizens, especially the youths.

He added that the exhibition tagged: “Logistics West Africa” was designed to facilitate African trade links to global businesses and to enable companies showcase their services as well as operating capacities on various aspects of logistics management capable of stimulating economic growth and development now and in the long-run.

Responding to question on the local content development in the country, he said: “government is monitoring local content development and it is vigorously coming to the assistance of indigenous investors facing challenges with their contractors where they want to renege on the minimum compliance on any specific contract. Local Content development is promising and the implementation is being pursued professionally and vigorously.”

According to him, “LADOL has been operating for several years and is part of Apapa pilotage district capable of receiving both domestic and specialised international vessels directly at its quay. LADOL is the largest 100 per cent indigenous privately financed logistics base in Nigeria. The company is fully integrated base offering clients 24 hours operations for their projects. The free zone services include customs clearance within the facility”.

Also speaking, the Head, Nigeria office, African Centre for Supply Chain (ACSC), Mr. Eronini Nnamdi, explained that, the company has a vision to deliver value to logistics and supply chain practitioners through the provision of world class research, learning and advocacy platform for promotion of knowledge and excellence.