LADOL receives accolade for its indigenization policy, technology transfer

Segun Oladipupo |

Lagos Deep Offshore Logistic Base, (LADOL) Free Trade Zone on Thursday said its management was commended by the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) for promoting transfer of technology from foreigners to Nigerians.

LADOL stated this in a press statement made available to this medium on Thursday in Lagos.

The statement explained that Emmanuel Arogundade, the new comptroller of Immigration Service, Lagos Seaport and Marine Command who recently visited LADOL Free Zone on familiarisation tour, said that the facility had promoted indigenisation policy by engaging more Nigerians to work in the work.

“The transfer of technology, which the Federal Government is interested in, is being complied with 100% at LADOL Free Zone. This is the essence of transfer technology, which is what Immigration supposed to monitor.

“We want a situation where there would be complete transfer of technology from foreigners to Nigerians. I want to salute the visionary leader for putting up a facility such as LADOL even as he called on other Nigerian investors to invest in projects that can create employment for Nigerians,” Arogundade said.

On the zone’s compliance with expatriate quota, the new Comptroller said LADOL had always been very upright and up to date.

“We have never found LADOL wanting and in the management return, they have always been up to date. They submit their returns on time and always very compliant with expatriate quota.

He assured that the Service has always been ready to support anything that would bring economic development and growth which is one of the main thrust of his administration, assuring that NIS is ready to partner with LADOL and any other establishment that conforms to government policy.

“LADOL has already become part of the Federal Government’s economic diversification agenda. Going round the Free Zone has shown that LADOL is a force to reckon with in terms of industrialisation,” Arogundade explained.

He maintained that Nigeria is blessed with human and material resources, noting that the challenge has always been on how to manage these resources.

“It is not an exaggeration to say that if we are able to manage the resources of this country very well, no Nigerian will suffer and one can envisage the number of families this place (LADOL) provides for,”

The Managing Director of LADOL, Dr. Amy Jadesimi described the visit as very significant, stressing that running of the Free Zone depends on other sister agencies, and NIS has been essential for LADOL remaining operational throughout 2020.

According to her, Nigerian Immigration has worked side-by-side with LADOL throughout the year and has shown high degree of professionalism.

“We are very pleased and honoured that the comptroller visit us today because it reinforces the good relationship we both have. We will be working closely with them going forward especially with LADOL’s Training School coming up. We need to make sure that technology transfer happens at a much faster rate and at a much higher level.
So, working sideby-side with them would ensure that our technology and training plans are actualised,” she said.

Beri Abdul, Coordinator of the Nigerian Export Processing Zone Authority (NEPZA), at LADOL said he was proud of LADOL’s 100% indigenous facility, which is the first of its kind in Nigeria.

While stating that the visit has shown that the comptroller was concerned for the progress of Nigeria. He however solicited for the support of NIS in helping the Free Zone achieve its objectives