Government set to commence second phase of Tinapa (3/6/08)

The Cross River State Government is set to commence the second phase of the Tinapa Business Resort with the introduction of a Theme Park and other facilities to complement its leisure aspects.

Governor Liyel Imoke stated this at the opening ceremony of the Tinapa Trade Expo on Monday, stressing that the time has come to open up Tinapa and its vision realized as it was incumbent upon the Federal Government to provide official guidelines for its take off, adding that to date, the project does not have operational protocol which now is a constraint to achieve its vision.

Imoke stated that seven different countries participating in the Expo was indicative of awareness which Tinapa has created, saying that though it was built on the concept of a Free Trade zone, being the first of its kind, he believed with what it experienced last year, time has come for it to receive approval, endorsement and support of all agencies to achieve its vision which was conceptualized by the erstwhile Governor, Donald Duke and endorsed by the Federal Government.

The governor disclosed that the state is challenged to pay back debts and is being constrained from operating by the same agency which it pays back its debts to, lamenting that the concept is about being developed by two other countries which will make it most unfortunate and unacceptable if they take advantage because Tinapa is not operating.

He explained that 70 percent of trade in the West African Sub Zone is controlled by Nigeria and once the door of Tinapa is open, it will not only transform the economy of Cross River, Nigeria but the whole of West Africa while stressing the need for the investment to be supported and sustained.

The Governor commended the efforts of its organizers, and sponsors and acknowledged the exhibitors for sharing the vision and opportunities.

The Managing Director of Tinapa Business Resort Limited, Arc Bassey Eyo Ndem said Tinapa was commissioned a year ago but since then it has been unable to commence business owing to non approval of the guidelines and procedures by the Federal Government, explaining that the Expo is designed to give Cross River and the World a glimpse into what the future can hold for Nigerians.

Ndem said the Expo had demonstrated that Tinapa is indeed an engine and a catalyst for Regional Growth in Trade and Commerce, pointing out that, in spite of the challenges of poor transport infrastructure, lack of approval, uncertainty surrounding the whole project, altogether, 117 exhibitors had registered and paid for stands and more were asking for space while some of the exhibitors were asking for an extension of the Expo to enable them gain maximum exposure for their goods and services.

The Chairman of Calabar Chamber of Commerce, Chief Asuquo Ekpenyong pledged the Chamber’s support to the Expo and said it would work with Tinapa for it to realize its dream.

A representative of Diamond Bank, and sponsor of the Expo, Mr. Ikechukwu Onuora said they were in support of the Expo because Tinapa combines business and leisure which will promote volume of trade, adding that it also has the potentials to boost the nation’s economy.

Onuora urged policy makers to support it if not other countries would take over and divert business and cash flow.

In another development, Governor Liyel Imoke has regretted that the Calabar Free Trade Zone has not lived up to its expectation in terms of performance due to lack of operational policies.

While receiving the Senate Committee on Commerce led by its chairman Senator Joel Danlami Ikenya, Imoke said the zone is still operating on 1992 legislation and that it should be in tune with the current day situation, because there is no Free Trade law in Nigeria to guide it.

According to him Nigeria controls about 70 percent of Trade in West Africa but its flip flop policies negate the intention it was created for, thereby doing more harm than good, adding that it is the same absence of legislation that is affecting smooth commencement of operations at Tinapa Business Resort.

He frowned that deductions are still being made on the facility while its investment is not yielding any profit, adding that the committee’s visit was timely because it needs urgent process of reform like Free Trade Zone laws as in countries where they are operational.

The Governor reasoned that until that is put in place, investments will elude Nigeria.

The Chairman of Senate Committee on Commerce, Senator Joel Danlami Ikenya said they will not pay lip services to issues affecting commerce and the committee appropriated a lot of money to Calabar Free Trade Zone last year, and their visit was to assess the effects of that disbursement because they had visited a lot of countries with Export Free Zones, assuring that the National Assembly will always work to represent the interest of the people.

Ikenya said all will be put in place to ensure that Export Processing Zone Authority succeeds and that because of the strategic location of Calabar, the Committee will do everything to see that Calabar Free Trade Zone succeeds under the guidelines of its budgetary allocation.

Government House Press