Kogi State Partners China on Multimillion-Dollar Free Trade Zone Project

By Muhammad Ahmed Dan Asabe Lokoja 

The Kogi State government has secured a landmark agreement with the People's Republic of China for the takeoff of the Kogi Hunan Special Economic Zone, which will operate as a Free Trade Zone. This strategic partnership was announced by Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo when he hosted a delegation of Chinese investors and consular officials led by the Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Lagos, Ms. Yan Yuqing, at the Government House in Lokoja on Tuesday.

Governor Ododo assured the Chinese delegation that the Kogi State government and its private sector partners would ensure that all necessary infrastructure and regulatory frameworks are in place to guarantee the smooth takeoff and timely completion of the project. "We are committed to making the Kogi Hunan Special Economic Zone a model of industrial and economic transformation. Everything required for the seamless execution of this project will be provided in collaboration with our private sector partners to ensure its success," he said.

The Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Lagos, Ms. Yan Yuqing, emphasized that Chinese investors in Nigeria have a responsibility to support and key into the project in line with the long-standing bilateral commitments between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the People's Republic of China. "The Kogi Hunan Free Trade Zone is a strategic initiative that reflects the deep economic and trade ties between China and Nigeria. Our investors are eager to explore and contribute to this partnership to drive sustainable development and industrial growth," she said.

The Chief Economic Adviser to the Kogi State Government, Alhaji Inda Ali Salami, described the Kogi Hunan Free Trade Zone as an ambitious project that demands the full commitment of the state government and its private sector partners. He assured the delegation that the state government team would leverage global best practices in free trade zone development to ensure the project's success.

The Kogi Hunan Special Economic Zone will be situated on a 3000-hectare land in the Ajaokuta economic development corridor. The Chinese delegation had earlier inspected key locations, including the Ajaokuta train station, Geregu Power Station, and ongoing gas projects, all vital for the smooth operation and development of the Kogi Hunan Free Trade Zone.