KWALE/Nigeria: Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on Tuesday, took a decisive step toward transforming the state’s economic landscape as he performed the groundbreaking ceremony of the Kwale Free Trade Zone (KFTZ) in Ndokwa West Local Government Area, a flagship component of the Delta Special Economic Zone Project.
Describing the event as “a promise made, promise kept,” Governor Oborevwori said the Kwale Free Trade Zone represents a new dawn for Delta’s industrial growth, with the potential to attract global and local investors, create thousands of jobs, and position the state as a hub for energy, petrochemicals, agro-processing, logistics, and manufacturing.
“Today’s groundbreaking is not just another project launch. It is the fulfillment of our commitment to diversify Delta’s economy, expand our industrial base, and lay the foundation for generational prosperity. We are building a Delta where innovation, technology, and industry will thrive,” the governor declared.
Highlighting Kwale’s comparative advantage, Oborevwori noted that its vast gas resources and central location make it ideal for energy-driven industries seeking efficiency and lower operational costs. He disclosed that eight companies had already indicated interest in operating from the zone, two fully licensed, three awaiting licenses, and three others in the final stages of regulatory approval.
“Delta State has invested over ₦3 billion in Delta Wires Industries, the first company to commence operations within the zone. The company will produce conductors, cables, and gas cylinders for both LPG and CNG markets. This is how we intend to leverage our natural gas resources to power industrial growth and create jobs for our people,” he explained.
The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to providing infrastructure, regulatory support, and a peaceful business environment, warning against encroachment on government-acquired land.
“We have acquired 1,000 hectares of land and full compensation has been paid. Anyone attempting to encroach on government property will be stopped. This project belongs to all Deltans, it is our collective future,” Oborevwori stated firmly.
Delta State Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, who served as chief host, described the KFTZ as the long-awaited catalyst for economic rebirth in Ndokwa land.
“This project is a blessing,” Onyeme said. “One company alone has promised to create 10,000 jobs. Imagine when 20 or 30 companies are fully operational here — unemployment in Ndokwa will soon be history.”
He further noted that the park would help bridge infrastructure gaps, especially electricity supply, as some investors had pledged to generate power for both industrial and community use.
In his goodwill message, former Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, who chaired the occasion, commended Oborevwori for demonstrating leadership through continuity.
“I am proud to be here. Governor Oborevwori has continued where we stopped, and that is how great leaders build lasting progress. People may not fully understand what has been done today, but in five to ten years, this area will be transformed into a vibrant industrial city,” Okowa said.
He appealed to host communities to protect the project and even consider providing additional land for expansion, stressing that with the level of investment and available gas reserves, the current 1,000 hectares might soon be insufficient. “This is the beginning of a revolution in our state’s economic structure,” he added.
Chairman of the Delta Special Economic Zone Management Company, Brig. Gen. Mike Ndubisi (rtd), described the event as “a milestone in Delta’s industrial evolution,” noting that the project will generate thousands of jobs and foster innovation. “What was once doubted is now a reality. We are not just building factories — we are building a brighter future for Deltans,” he stated.
Managing Director of the Delta Special Economic Zone, Pastor Godwin Akpovie, disclosed that over $100 million in investments had already been committed to the Kwale and Koko clusters. “We are partnering with the Nigerian Ports Authority and the African Development Bank to link Koko Port to Kwale through a new industrial corridor,” he announced.
Chairman of Ndokwa West Local Government Council, Chief Obi Nzete, reaffirmed the council’s readiness to protect all investments within the zone, describing the initiative as a landmark step toward industrial growth and economic transformation in Delta State.
The ceremony also featured goodwill messages from the Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) and major investors, including Xenergri Limited, Eastern Delta Wires Industries Ltd, Africa Gas Access, Chorus Energy, and Masters Chemicals & Fertilizer Company, all pledging their commitment to fast-tracking operations.
From conception under former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to realization under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, the Kwale Free Trade Zone stands today as a symbol of continuity, vision, and progress, a bold step toward Delta’s emergence as an industrial powerhouse in Nigeria’s South-South region.
