NEPZA, Kogi Govt Mull Free Trade Zone to Boost State’s Economy

James Emejo in Abuja

The Managing Director/Chief Executive, Nigeria Export Processing Zone Authority (NEPZA), Dr. Olufemi Ogunyemi, haas said the authority will consider a request by the Kogi State Government for the establishment of both a Free Trade Zone (FTZ) and industrial park in the state.

Speaking shortly after a meeting with the State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, at NEPZA Headquarters in Abuja, he said the economic zones will help to harness the state’s vast natural resources and agricultural produce.

He said, “Those are great raw materials that need to be harvested with value addition for export and for stimulating the economy of Kogi State.

“So, if Kogi State can have a special economic zone to harness all these potential industrialisation opportunities, it’s good for the state.

“Once you have something like an industrial park, you’ll be able to generate employment for Kogi State. The employment will be able to generate taxes, payee taxes for Kogi State.”

He said, “In a special economic zone, you have to develop the surrounding communities where the zone is situated. That’s a benefit to the state. And also, there will be some transfer of technology, training local people into the various technologies that will come to the park.There’s a host of benefits. I was quite struck by the passion of the governor and I’ve pledged support from my office here to support the quest for industrial park and a special economic zone.”

Speaking with journalists earlier,  Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor, Mr. Aliyu Salami, said, “We have come here to seek for collaboration to institute an economic zone in Kogui State. We came to lay the building block so that we can be handheld to be guided on how to set one up for the benefit of the state.”

He said the state is endowed with a host of solid minerals in commercial quantities which needed to be harnessed for the benefits of the people.

He said, “We also have huge agricultural potentials in the state. And we have abundant human resources as well, you know. So, to that extent, we want to mix all of these opportunities together to ensure that it works for the state.”