Managing Director/CEO, Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, has expressed confidence that the proposed knowledge and technology free trade zone to be established in Ado Ekiti would be used to revolutionise the state.
Adesugba stated this during an audience with Ekiti State Governor, Abiodun Oyebanji, after conducting a preliminary inspection of the site and other associated infrastructure on Thursday in Ado Ekiti.
The NEPZA boss explained that the state had the required background to venture into this specialised ecosystem, adding that the state now appeared decisive to harness its peoples with high academic and technological endowment for profitability.
A statement by NEPZA’s Head, Corporate Communications, Martins Odeh, quoted Adesugba as saying that the authority is prepared to assist the state to achieve its goal of developing the first knowledge and virtual-based free zone in Africa.
“NEPZA is now very dynamic and innovative in the way and manner it encourages the establishment of free zones in the country. This is a deliberate move by the Federal Government to help boost trade and investments across the 36 states of the Federation, and the FCT.
“The governor and I have, therefore, agreed to give a two-week deadline for the submission of the Technical Report after a more detailed inspection is carried out by NEPZA officials in collaboration with other technical partners. Precisely, we shall be looking to have this report on February 7, 2023 for onward transmission for Presidential Declaration.
Meanwhile, NEPZA and the Ekiti State Government have agreed on a 2-week deadline which will elapse on February 7, 2023, to submit Technical Report on the proposed “Knowledge and Technology Free Trade Zone.’’
On his part, the governor expressed profound delight on the visit of the NEPZA team to evaluate the capacity of the state to own and manage a free zone.
Oyebanji explained that the visit was a follow-up to his courtesy call on the managing director of the Authority where he sought the support and guidance of the Authority in setting up the Knowledge and Technology Free Zone that will attract wealth and prosperity to the state.
“We have campaigned on a mantra of sheer prosperity, so that we will be less dependent on sharing from the monthly Federation Account. It is our goal to drive development in the state either with or without FAC.
“My exposure to the Lekki Free Trade Zone corridor is an eye opener and we shall fulfil all the technical requirements to ensure we scale through the various stages of approvals,’’ the governor said.
