By Saidu Idris
365Daily – The Government of Sokoto State has granted the Nigeria Export Processing Zone Authority (NEPZA), a parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, 503.8 hectares of land in Sokoto State for the establishment of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in the state.
This was disclosed by the State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, on Wednesday, June 14, 2021, in Abuja, during a meeting with the Management of NEPZA, led by its Managing Director, Prof. Adesoji Adesugba.
A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Muhammad Bello, said Tambuwal informed the delegation that the state was desirous of partnering NEPZA in any area of mutual benefit, especially as it would be a critical stakeholder in the management of the SEZ.
He added that the Governor appealed to the Authority to give special consideration to the state in the management of the zone with the Sokoto Investment Company Limited (SICL) and indigenous businessmen being part of the arrangements for operating the zone under a private-public partnership.
According to the statement, it is expected that the state government and the authority will soon inaugurate a technical committee comprising of its respective officials to fast track their mutual engagement.
Bello said the SEZ is designed by the Federal Government to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), enhance trade and industrialisation, as well as generate employment.
Furthermore, he added, the zone is also intended to encourage technology transfer, contribute to national economic growth and development; and encourage patronage of local raw materials.
The Special Adviser quoted Prof. Adesoji as saying he was impressed with the economic acumen of Gov. Tambuwal and the recent rating of the state as second best in the ease of doing business by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).
Attributing this to the leadership qualities of the Governor, who he said has provided many infrastructure in the state, Prof. Adesoji thanked the state government for timely provision of land for the Zone, pledging to
hit the ground running.
He said NEPZA will soon be in Sokoto for the ground breaking ceremony of the SEZ.
The state government’s team at the function included the State Commissioners for Land and Housing and Commerce, Hon. Aminu Bala Bodinga and Hon. Bashir Gidado Jegawa, respectively.
Also at the occasion were the Managing Director of the SICL, Hon. Muhammad Buhari Dasuki and Alhaji Mukhtar Maigona, Zannan Sokoto, a Sokoto-based prominent businessman.