By Thompson Yamput
The Kogi Government on Wednesday harps on the establishment of a Free Trade Zone at the Ajaokuta economic development corridor of the State.
Gov. Ahmed Ododo, made the remarks while on a working visit to the Managing Director of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Dr. Olufemi Ogunyemi in Abuja.
In a statement issued in Lokoja by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Ismaila Isah, Ododo said the visit was to seek the support of the management of NEPZA to make the proposed special economic zone, conceived over ten years ago, a reality.
The Governor, who was accompanied on the visit by top officials of the state government, said “the establishment of a special economic zone in the state is necessary to harness the abundant natural resources and to maximize the economic potential of the state.”
“This is as a result of Kogi’s strategic location as a connecting point between the north and the southern part of Nigeria.
“Kogi state is endowed with numerous solid mineral resources in commercial quantities, arable land for agricultural production and top quality human resources that are waiting to be tapped with the establishment of a special economic zone.
“It’s our belief that the proposed special economic zone will transform the state into a major hub for economic activities in the country as well as creating thousands of jobs opportunities for Nigerians.”
Ododo, however, assured that all that was required on the part of the state government would be put in place as soon as possible to ensure the realisation of the project.
Responding, NEPZA MD, Dr Olufemi Ogunyemi, said that the authority would support the Kogi state government by activating processes that would lead to the timely approval, licensing and other assistance the state may require to secure the establishment of a special economic zone.
Ogunyemi commended Gov. Ododo for his handling of infrastructural development, welfare of workers and security of lives and property in the state.
ephemeralnews.com.ng reports that Kogi government had already allocated three thousand hectares of land in the Ajaokuta economic development corridor for the project to be funded by a Public Private Partnership arrangement.
The land allocation was reported to be in line with procedures for the establishment of the proposed Free Trade zone.
