Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has pleaded with the Federal Government to approve the Remo Economic Zone as a Free Trade Zone.

The governor, who made the plea when he received the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite, and her team in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, yesterday, noted that the approval was needed to enable processing companies that have signed to process their raw materials in the zone commence operations.

He said the zone would record many processing companies willing to sign up to begin work in the zone in the next one year if the approval was given, saying out of the six Special Agro Processing Zones, the state has the highest number.

Abiodun said: “We have an impending application for the Remo Economic Zone in your office as a Special Economic Zone that enjoys the status of a Free Trade Zone, and the reason for that is very simple.

“The entire economic zone is being developed in partnership between the state government, and we have located the airport as one of the enablers. Part of the requirements that we signed with our partner was that this economic zone will be a Free Trade Zone.”

The governor said his administration has created four economic zones in the last four and a half years, in addition to the existence of the Agbara industrial zone.

The governor thanked the minister for the visit, noting that it would cement the relationship with the government at the centre.

Speaking earlier, Uzoka-Anite had applauded the state government for its developmental strides, saying the springing up of industries in the state was a confirmation of the conducive business environment and the availability of necessary infrastructure that attracts investors.

She said that as an industrial capital, Ogun State has distinguished itself as a leader in developing, expanding and attracting industries with ease, adding that the visit would enable her and her team to discuss with the officials of state government on how best to be of help to each other.

“The Federal Government will collaborate with the state government to see how to improve and industrialise not only the state, but the whole country. We are committed to supporting the state in any way we can. Whatever the governor is doing to continue industrialisation, we will support him,” the minister said.