WITH the ground-breaking of the Kwale Free Trade Zone (FTZ) by Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, the state is, no doubt, set for massive socio-economic transformation. Located in Ndokwa West Local Government Area, the project would impact hugely on the vast resources in the area and spread significantly to other parts of the state. The project stands to further illuminate and aggressively transfigure the state socially and economically.
The Governor summed up the benefits that would accrue from the strategic initiative thus “It would unleash unprecedented economic growth, attract global and local investors, and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs. The project will position Kwale as a strategic hub for energy and petrochemicals. We are building a Delta State where innovation, technology and industry will thrive.”
We commend Governor Oborevwori for activating the commencement of the ambitious project, which Deputy Governor Monday Onyeme described as the long-awaited economic rebirth of Ndokwa land. Excited former governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, under whose administration the project was conceived and articulated, noted that in five to 10 years the host community of the FTZ would be transformed into a vibrant industrial city.
The Kwale FTZ is allocated 1,000 hectares of land for its takeoff. With the scheme projected to expand exponentially, there are pleas for the host towns and villages to release more land to proactively address the projected expansion. It is commendable that as at the time of the ground-breaking, more than $100million of investments have been committed to the Kwale and the Koko FTZs.
The community has abundant gas resources and its central location makes it a natural magnet for investors seeking cost-effective and energy-efficient industrial operations.
The state has already gone ahead to invest over N3 billion in Delta Wires Industries in the zone to manufacture conductors, cables and gas cylinders for both LPG and CNG markets. Eight companies have so far indicated firm interest to operate from the zone.
Governor Oborevwori seriously means business and is determined to strategically advance the economic development of Delta State during his tenure. The choice of Kwale as host of the FTZ is highly commendable. The region is rich both in oil and gas-bearing, natural resources that drive social and economic development if properly managed. Moreover, the area has vast table land that potential investors crave.
As already underlined, the FTZ as planned would unleash unprecedented development in the entire state and the Ndokwa axis in particular. The potentials of attracting hundreds of business concerns, locally and internationally, are huge. For any kind of investment in the zone, there are ready markets for their products within and outside the state, especially in the South-South and South-East geopolitical zones.
Furthermore, the Kwale FTZ holds the potential of creating employment opportunities for millions of unemployed persons, via direct and indirect jobs. Through the jobs, the issue of mass poverty would be significantly addressed. Without doubt, it would also lead to a significant reduction in crime and criminality in the state.
While we praise the Oborevwori administration for the implementation of the strategic vision, we plead that the laudable project should not be politicized. It is a project intended to enrich and enhance the welfare of all Deltans and citizens of Nigeria. But beyond this, the project, as spelt out, will quicken the process of industrializing the state.
We demand that the host communities embrace the responsibility of safeguarding the FTZ project. Any attempt to undermine the project should be seen as as an affront and attack on our common good.
