The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) has assured staff members of the Calabar Free Trade Zone (CFTZ) of inclusive leadership, improved communication and sustained efforts to address their welfare concerns.

The managing director of the NEPZA, Olufemi Ogunyemi, gave the assurance during an interactive session with staff members of the zone in Calabar on Tuesday.

Mr Ogunyemi said the purpose of the visit was to engage directly with workers and gain a better understanding of their challenges and expectations.

He said that while he regularly interacted with staff at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja, it was equally important to connect personally with employees serving at the various free trade zones across the country.

“I do not want to sit in Abuja and just be talking to you. I want to hear from you directly.

“It is sometimes difficult to hear from people like you who are doing great service to NEPZA and the country, but are located far away from the headquarters.

“This is an opportunity for me to interact with you directly, hear your concerns and see how we can address them,” he said.

The managing director described NEPZA staff as the “engine” of the organisation, stressing that their contributions remained critical to the agency’s success.

“I am here at your service as your leader, and I will do my best to address your concerns because you are the engine of NEPZA,” he said.

Responding to concerns raised by staff on communication gaps between headquarters and the zones, Mr Ogunyemi acknowledged the need for improved information sharing.

The NEPZA boss pledged to work with relevant departments to ensure staff members were adequately informed about policy changes and reforms.

He noted that effective communication remained essential to staff members’ engagement and institutional efficiency.

The NEPZA boss also assured workers that management would look into requests for additional office equipment, particularly desktop computers, to support the ongoing efforts to digitalise the agency’s operations.

“Desktops are work tools, and staff members should have access to the tools needed to perform their duties.

“I really want us to go digital. We are far behind in digitalisation, and it is something we must continue to pursue,” he said.

On staff members’ welfare, including the conversion of contract workers to permanent staff, Mr Ogunyemi said the process involved approvals from relevant government agencies and was therefore subject to regulatory procedures.

He, however, assured workers that management would continue to explore avenues for addressing the concerns.

The managing director also reiterated his commitment to ensuring that staff members in the zonal offices had greater opportunities to participate in official assignments, audits, training programmes, and other agency activities.

According to him, utilising personnel already stationed in the zones will not only enhance staff inclusion but also reduce operational costs.

Earlier, the head of the Calabar Free Trade Zone, Binta Saeed, welcomed the managing director and commended his efforts to improve staff members’ welfare and strengthen the agency.

The union representative of the CFTZ, Eric Ene, also praised Mr Ogunyemi for approving the review of some allowances, addressing retirees’ benefits and maintaining open engagement with workers.

The union further urged the NEPZA management to sustain reforms aimed at improving staff members’ welfare, enhanced salary structures and operational efficiency across the agency.

The interactive session provided staff members with the opportunity to raise issues on welfare, communication, training opportunities, digitalisation and operational challenges affecting the zone. 

(NAN)