The ECOWAS commission in conjunction with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) is to establish an Agro processing cluster and Special Economic Zone between the borders of Ogun State and Benin Republic.
The Head of Division Private sector Department of UNIDO, Dr. Enobong Umoessien made this known on Wednesday when the team paid a courtesy visit to the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun in his Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Dr. Umoessien who said the Zone will be the first ECOWAS smart city that will be a hub of business relation within the West African region said the project is designed to improve economic collaboration between the countries of West Africa.
Dr. Umoessien who noted that the project which will collapse agric processing, light industry and stem immigration together will improve integration, create jobs and encourage women and youths involvement in the development process.
According to him, the government of Benin Republic have already passed a law that designate the zone between Benin and Ogun State as economic zone noting that the visit was to enjoin the Nigerian government to follow suit in order to facilitate the project.
He added that the ECOWAS Commission is already creating a mega highway from Lagos/Cote d' Ivorian/Dakar which will facilitate distribution and marketing of goods within the West African region.
Responding, the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun said the government of Ogun State is more than ready to collaborate with the agency on the proposed project saying no less than three locations in the state would be made available out of which the agency can make their choice.
The Governor who mentioned the areas to include Seme border area, Ihunbo - Ilase belt as well as Ipokia belt said it will be in the benefit of all the countries within the region to have agro processing and logistic hub to create better trade within West Africa.
Governor Amosun also commended the idea of the super highway saying it could as well be a fast moving train from Lagos/Dakar/Togo/Ghana and other countries in the West African region as proposed.
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