Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, yesterday unveiled a major leap in the state’s journey toward industrial transformation as he performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the Kwale Free Trade Zone (KFTZ) in Kwale, Ndokwa West Local Council Area.
The KFTZ is a flagship component of the Delta Special Economic Zone Project.
Describing the project as “a promise made, promise kept,” Oborevwori said it would unleash unprecedented economic growth, attract global and local investors, and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, thus positioning Kwale as a strategic hub for energy, petrochemicals, agro-processing, logistics, and manufacturing.
He said: “Today’s groundbreaking is not just another project launch. It is the fulfilment 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.”
Highlighting the state’s comparative advantage, Oborevwori said Kwale’s abundant gas resources and central location make it a natural magnet for investors seeking cost-effective and energy-efficient industrial operations.
He revealed that eight companies had already indicated interest in operating from the zone, with two fully licensed, three approved for licenses, and three others in the final stages of regulatory processing.
“Delta State has invested over N3 billion in Delta Wires Industries, the first company to take off within this zone. The company will manufacture 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,” he said.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s readiness to provide infrastructure, regulatory support, and peace of mind for investors to thrive, warning that government property already compensated for would not be allowed to be encroached upon.
He said: “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.”
The Deputy Governor, Monday Onyeme, in his remarks as Chief Host, described the Kwale Free Trade Zone as the economic rebirth that the Ndokwa land had long awaited.
“This project is a blessing,” Onyeme said. “One company alone has promised to create 10,000 jobs. Imagine what will happen when 20 or 30 companies are fully operational here. The issue of unemployment in Ndokwa will soon be history.”
He noted that the industrial park would also help solve long-standing infrastructure gaps, particularly electricity supply, as some investors had pledged to generate power for both industrial and community use.
