Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori announced on Tuesday that his administration plans to leverage Special Agricultural Economic Zones to create over 50,000 jobs, aiming to drive economic growth and improve the well-being of the state’s residents.
Speaking during a meeting 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), Governor Oborevwori emphasized the program’s potential to boost food security, agro-processing, and export earnings while enhancing Delta State’s GDP.
Welcoming the delegation led by Dr. Chuma Ezedinma, the Governor expressed gratitude for Delta State’s selection in the second phase of the Transformational Integrated Special Agricultural Processing Zone project.
He highlighted Delta’s fertile land, suitable for crops like palm, cassava, maize, yams, and plantains, as an asset that would benefit from this initiative.
“The Special Agricultural Processing Zone is key to our strategy for transforming Delta’s agricultural ecosystem. We’re committed to creating a top-tier agricultural value chain in partnership with the African Development Bank,” Oborevwori said. He pledged his administration’s support for the project and assured the delegation of Delta State’s readiness.
Dr. Ezedinma praised Delta’s innovative Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, noting that it provides a strong foundation for the economic zone’s management.
“Delta State’s approach, with its Economic Zone Management Company, positions it to lead the development of industrial zones. The bank will support this with catalytic financing to ensure success,” he stated.
Pastor Godwin Akpovie, Managing Director of the Delta State Free Trade Zone, added that new operations in Kwale, Osubi, Isoko, and Agbor are set to create over 50,000 jobs, advancing the state’s agricultural transformation efforts