President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the request of the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Adeniyi Adebayo seeking a free trade zone status for the Ekiti Knowledge Zone.
The approval was conveyed via a letter titled: “RE: Recommendation For Approval and Designation of Free Trade Zone Status in Ekiti Knowledge Zone (EKZ) Situated on 208.949 Hectares of Land Located Ado-Ijan Road, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti state,” addressed to the Minister and signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari.
According to a statement by the media aide to the former Ekiti state governor, Ifedayo Sayo, the president’s letter read, “I refer to your letter Ref.No., FMITI/CED/4748/Vol1 dated 22 February 2023 on the above subject.
“Kindly note that Mr President has granted free zone status approval for the Ekiti Knowledge Zone located along Ado-Ijan road, Ekiti State on a parcel of land measuring approximately 208.949HA with coordinates 8042765.02m’N;761’ 244.963m’ E, in accordance with Section 1 (1) of the NEPZA Act Cap. N107 Laws of Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004.
“Please accept the assurances of my highest regards.”
Reacting, the Ekiti state governor, Biodun Oyebanji commended President Buhari for approving the free trade zone for the state, saying, ” the approval is a necessary condition for inflow of investments into the EKZ, which will be the first service-based special economic zone and a major driver of economic growth in the state.”
