The Federal Government, through the Nigeria Export Processing Zone
Authority ( NEPZA), has restated its commitment to make Ekiti State a
major free trade zone in Nigeria by supporting the state in delivering
economic and knowledge free zone where education based industries and
technological companies can operate from.
The Managing Director of the Authority, Prof. Adesoji Adesugba made
this known in Ado-Ekiti during a courtesy visit to Ekiti State
Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji on Thursday
The NEPZA boss said the establishment of the economic zone would boost
the economy of the state and increase its internally generated revenue
as well as reduce over-reliance on federal allocation.
Prof. Adesugba commended the Governor for been proactive and for his
ideas of creating Education and Knowledge zone, describing it as
novel. He assured the state of the support of the authority and prompt
completion of the project.
Prof Adesugba, who assured Nigerians that the free trade zone would be
ready within 18 months, said he was in the state to confirm the
commitment of the Federal Government towards the successful completion
of the project. He called on drivers and captains of industries to
invest in the state when the zone is ready.
According to Prof. Adesoji, “I personally came to Ekiti state to show
the good commitment of the Federal Government of Nigeria to support
Ekiti State in delivering economic and knowledge free zone and be the
home of block chain technology where technological companies and other
industries that have things to do with education.
“You know Ekiti is known for education and ideas innovation, and this
is where we are going to show the world that Nigeria has arrived.
“The first thing for us is to first of all get Presidential
declaration to make that place a free zone. The Governor has given all
of us a matching order and within the next 18 months, we would get so
many industries, both virtual and on-sight there. As we speak, there
are people who are already planning and working, so, we, on our own
part are to get this approval.
In his remarks, Governor Biodun Oyebanji stressed the need for the
Federal Government to fast-track the completion of the project to
attract more investors to the state, adding that productivity would
always lead to shared prosperity.
While using the opportunity to flaunt the intellectual resources of
the state, the Governor stated that it is not wise for any state to
drive its economy on monthly federal allocation as it cannot be used
for effective wealth creation.
“On the need to fast-track declaration on Ekiti Knowledge Zone, we
campaign on a mantra of shared prosperity and you know that a people
cannot prosper if they are not productive and we don’t believe that
FAAC can drive prosperity, so whether FAAC comes or not, if a society
is productive, there will be wealth creation. And we are also aware of
the fact that the only thing we have in Ekiti is our intellectual
resources.
“As a government, I am ready to lead from the front, I am ready to
provide every support that is needed to drive this to ensure success
and meet the stipulated deadline, because without that certification,
we won’t be able to do anything and investors will not come, but if
you are able to attract them and bring them here and that is why we
are working hard on the Airport to compliment what we are doing.
“We have invested a lot in infrastructure to drive that zone, I am
pleading on behalf of my people to please do this for us. He stated.
