By Christopher Philomina
The Federal Government of Nigeria has restated commitment to make Ekiti State a major free Trade Zone in Nigeria.
The Government said it would support the state in delivering economic and knowledge free zone where education-based Industries and technical Companies could operate.
The Managing Director of the Nigeria Export Processing Zone Authority(NEPZA), Prof, Adesoji Adesugba, said this during a courtesy visit to the state governor, Biodun Oyebanji in Ado- Ekiti, the state capital.
The NEPZA boss gave the assurance that the free trade Zone would be ready within 18 Months, adding that he was in Ekiti to restate the commitment of the federal Government towards the successful completion of the project, thereby calling on drivers on capitals of industries to invest in the state when the Zone was ready.
Prof Adesugba also stated that, 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.
He commended Ekiti Government for being proactive by creating education and knowledge Zone.
In his words, “I personally came to Ekiti to express the commitment of the federal government of Nigeria to support the state in delivering economic and knowledge free zone.
“Government is committed to making Ekiti home of block chains technology, where technological companies and other industries that have things to do with education will be ready to invest.
“Ekiti is known for education and ideas innovation and this is where we are going to show the world that Nigeria has arrived.
“Oyebanji has given a matching order and within 18 months, we all get so many industries, both virtual and on-sight there.” he said.
In his remarks, the executive Governor of the State, Biodun Oyebanji stated that there was 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.
