Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on Tuesday, performed the groundbreaking ceremony of the Kwale Free Trade Zone (KFTZ) in Ndokwa West Local Government Area, describing it as a defining moment in the state’s march toward industrial transformation.
The KFTZ, a major component of the Delta Special Economic Zone Project, is designed to drive massive investment in energy, petrochemicals, agro-processing, logistics, and manufacturing.
Speaking at the event, Governor Oborevwori said the initiative marks a turning point in his administration’s economic diversification agenda.
“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,” the governor said.
According to him, Kwale’s strategic location and abundant gas resources make it a natural destination for investors seeking sustainable and energy-efficient operations.
Oborevwori disclosed that eight companies have already shown concrete interest in operating within the zone—two of which have received full licenses, three approved for licensing, while another three are awaiting final regulatory clearance.
He also announced that the state government had invested over ₦3 billion in Delta Wires Industries, the first firm set to commence operations in the zone. The company, he said, would produce electrical conductors, cables, and gas cylinders for both LPG and CNG markets.
“This is how we intend to use our natural gas resources to power industrial growth and create jobs for our people,” the governor added.
Reaffirming government’s commitment to providing infrastructure, security, and a conducive environment for investors, Oborevwori warned against land encroachment, noting that 1,000 hectares had already been acquired and fully compensated for.
“Anyone attempting to encroach on government property will be stopped. This project belongs to all Deltans—it is our collective future,” he declared.
Deputy Governor Sir Monday Onyeme, who served as Chief Host, hailed the initiative as a long-awaited economic rebirth for Ndokwa land.
“One company alone has promised to create 10,000 jobs. Imagine what will happen when 20 or 30 companies begin operations here. The problem of unemployment in Ndokwa will soon be a thing of the past,” Onyeme stated.
He added that the project would also help bridge infrastructure deficits, particularly in power supply, as some investors have pledged to generate electricity for both industrial and community use.
Former Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, who chaired the event, lauded his successor for sustaining the vision of industrial growth and demonstrating leadership continuity.
“Governor Oborevwori has continued where we stopped, and that is how great leaders build lasting progress,” Okowa said. “In the next five to ten years, this area will become a bustling industrial city.”
He urged host communities to protect the project and consider donating additional land for future expansion.
Chairman of the Delta Special Economic Zone Management Company, Brig.-Gen. Mike Ndubisi (rtd), described the groundbreaking as a “historic step” in Delta’s industrial journey.
“We are not just building factories; we are building a brighter future for Deltans,” he said.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of the Delta Special Economic Zone, Pastor Godwin Akpovie, disclosed that over $100 million worth of investments had already been committed to the Kwale and Koko clusters of the project.
He revealed ongoing partnerships with the Nigerian Ports Authority and the African Development Bank to connect Koko Port to Kwale through an industrial corridor.
Chairman of Ndokwa West Local Government Council, Chief Obi Nzete, pledged the council’s full cooperation to safeguard the investments, describing the project as a transformative leap for Delta State’s economy.
“The Kwale Free Trade Zone is not just a project; it is a symbol of hope, progress, and shared prosperity,” Nzete said.
