Delta Governor Pledges 50,000 Jobs Through Agricultural Economic Zones Initiative
ASABA/Nigeria: Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has announced his administration’s commitment to harnessing the transformative potential of Special Agricultural Economic Zones (SAEZs) to generate over 50,000 jobs, fostering economic growth and improving livelihoods across the state.
In a meeting at Government House, Asaba, with officials from the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), and the National Cereal Research Institute (NCRI), led by Dr. Chuma Ezedinma, Governor Oborevwori expressed gratitude for Delta State’s selection in the second phase of the SAEZ programme. He emphasised the zones’ potential to bolster food security, create jobs, stimulate agro-processing, and boost export revenue, all of which are anticipated to have a positive impact on the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The Governor highlighted Delta’s abundant agricultural resources, noting that the state’s fertile land is well-suited for cultivating crops such as palm fruit, cassava, maize, yams, plantains, and a variety of vegetables. “The establishment of the Special Agricultural Processing Zone here will be a strategic addition to Delta’s agricultural ecosystem, helping us transform and strengthen our entire agricultural value chain,” he stated.
Governor Oborevwori pledged his administration’s full support in meeting all project requirements to ensure the initiative’s success. “We intend to attract, engage, and elevate farms and agro-businesses to best-in-class standards, leveraging the African Development Bank’s model,” he said. “We count on your partnership and are committed to creating an enabling environment to bring this vision to fruition.”
Dr. Ezedinma commended Delta State for its Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) model, noting its effectiveness and position as a pioneering approach within the programme. “Delta has designed an Economic Zone Management Company to oversee industrial zones, adopting a Public-Private Partnership framework which aligns with the AfDB’s requirements,” he explained. “Our aim is for Delta State to lead this initiative by creating a conducive environment, with the AfDB providing catalytic financing to support the development.”
Pastor Godwin Akpovie, Managing Director of the Delta State Free Trade Zone, outlined the broad reach of the initiative, which includes the Kwale Free Trade Zone Operations Centre, the Osubi Agro Transformation Centre, and additional facilities in Isoko and Agbor. He reiterated that the project’s anticipated impact would be substantial, creating over 50,000 employment opportunities for Deltans and positioning the state as a hub for agricultural and industrial advancement.
