Kogi to establish special economic zone in Ajaokuta

T The Kogi State Government has announced it has begun the process of establishing a special economic zone, designated as a free trade zone, within the Ajaokuta economic development corridor.

This announcement was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday night by the Special Adviser to the Governor, Ismaila Isah.

He stated that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo revealed this development during a working visit to the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority, Dr. Olufemi Ogunyemi, in Abuja on Tuesday.

According to Isah, the governor’s visit was aimed at seeking NEPZA’s support to actualise the special economic zone, a project conceptualised over ten years ago.

The governor, who was accompanied on the visit by senior officials from Kogi State, noted, “The establishment of a special economic zone is essential to harness the state’s abundant natural resources and maximise its economic potential, given Kogi’s strategic location as a link between the northern and southern regions of Nigeria.”

He highlighted Kogi State’s endowment with extensive solid mineral resources, arable land for agriculture, and skilled human resources, all of which could be effectively utilised through the establishment of a special economic zone.

“The proposed special economic zone will transform the state into a major economic hub in Nigeria, as well as create thousands of job opportunities for Nigerians,” the governor added.

He assured that the state government would expedite all necessary actions to ensure the project’s realisation.

In response, NEPZA’s Managing Director, Dr. Olufemi Ogunyemi, pledged the authority’s support by activating processes for timely approval, licensing, and other assistance required to establish the special economic zone.

Dr. Ogunyemi also commended Governor Ododo for his approach to infrastructure development, worker welfare, and the security of lives and property in Kogi State.

It should be noted that, in line with the requirements for establishing the proposed economic zone, the Kogi State Government has previously allocated three thousand hectares of land within the Ajaokuta development corridor for the project, which will be funded through a Public-Private Partnership arrangement.