The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Command, has intensified regulatory oversight of Free Trade Zones in Abuja following inspection visits to Centenary City Free Zone, Abuja Technology Village Free Zone and Diplomatic Village.
The visits,formed part of the familiarisation and compliance-monitoring activities of the Acting Customs Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller Habib Hassan, following his appointment.
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During the engagements, Hassan explained that the Service has a statutory responsibility to monitor activities within Free Trade Zones and ensure that operators comply with relevant laws and regulations.
He noted that the visits were also intended to identify areas of non-compliance, acknowledge operators adhering to regulatory requirements and understand operational challenges affecting businesses within the zones.
According to him, concerns and recommendations raised by operators would receive the necessary attention to promote effective regulation and improve working relationships between the Service and stakeholders.
At Centenary City Free Zone, the Managing Director, Ike Odenigwe, described the visit as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation with the Customs Service.
Odenigwe said the project was designed to position Abuja as a major economic and tourism destination through local and international investments.
He explained that the master-planned smart city covers approximately 1,260 to 1,300 hectares and was conceived as a legacy project to commemorate Nigeria’s centenary anniversary in 2014.
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He also briefed the delegation on ongoing developments within the facility, including a proposed building expected to become the tallest in Africa.
At Abuja Technology Village Free Zone, the Head of Administration, Ike Onuoha, who represented the Managing Director, welcomed the delegation and commended the Command for its interest in understanding the facility’s operations.
Onuoha explained that the zone was established to harness Nigeria’s potential in technology, innovation and enterprise development, while attracting investments and supporting economic growth.
He subsequently conducted the delegation around existing businesses and ongoing projects within the facility.
Similarly, the Managing Director of Diplomatic Village, Uche Odozor, received the Customs delegation and showcased the facility’s operations and available services.
Odozor explained that the establishment offers more than conventional duty-free shopping, with complementary facilities including a gym and fitness centre, coffee shop, clinic, pharmacy, and spa and wellness centre.
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He said the objective was to provide an integrated commercial and lifestyle destination by bringing different services and facilities together within one environment.
The visits provided an opportunity for the Customs Command to engage directly with operators, assess activities within the zones and strengthen collaboration towards ensuring compliance with established regulations.