The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) has assured Kogi State Government that it is going to put motion in place to request for and ensure approval for the establishment of Special Economic Zone with a Free Trade Zone status in Kogi State.
This follows the working visit of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo to the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NEPZA, Dr. Olufemi Ogunyemi in Abuja on Tuesday to seek their support to make the proposed Special Economic Zone, which was conceived over ten years ago, a reality.
The Governor, who was accompanied on the visit by top officials of the Kogi 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 given its strategic location as a connecting point between the north and the southern part of Nigeria.
He noted that 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.
The governor stressed 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.
He assured that all that is required on the part of the state government would be put in place as soon as possible to ensure the realisation of the project.
Recall that, in line with procedures for the establishment of the proposed special economic zone, the Kogi state government had earlier allocated three thousand hectares of land in the Ajaokuta economic development corridor for the project to be funded by a Public Private Partnership arrangement.
Dr. Ogunyemi commended Governor Ododo for his handling of infrastructural development, welfare of workers, and security of lives and property in the state.
Recall that, in line with procedures for the establishment of the proposed special economic zone, the Kogi state government had earlier allocated three thousand hectares of land in the Ajaokuta economic development corridor for the project to be funded by a Public Private Partnership arrangement.