The Ondo state governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu on Thursday, set up a nine man technical committee to reactivate the abandoned Olokola Free Trade Zone project.
The multibillion project was initiated by the late Olusegun Agagu’s administration but became murribond as it was abandoned shortly after his exit from office.
The committee is headed by the former Group Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Engr. Funso Kupolokun, while Mr. Jones Abiodun will serve as secretary of the committee.
Other members of the committee include, Dr. Deji Oyedele, Chief Akin Aruwajoye, Engr. Funsho Esan, Barrister Niyi Adegbonmire, Mr. Juwon Falope, Dr. Funmi Cooker and Mr. Oluwafemi Akarakiri.
Speaking while inaugurating the committee at the Cocoa Conference hall of the governor’s office, Governor Akeredolu said the committee is expected to actualize the Olokola free trade Zone project between Ondo and Ogun states.
Akeredolu who was represented by his deputy, Hon Agboola Ajayi charged the committee to tackle the current legal and technical issues confronting both the Owena Oil and Gas Limited and Owena Energy Limited.
He said the concern of his administration remained the massive turn around in the economic and social landscape of the state noted that best hands have been selected both within and outside the state for the committee.
He said massive economic turnaround can only be achieved through a private sector driven economy that operates in a conducive environment provided by the government.
According to the governor, the terms of reference of the committee include reviewing all the work that has been done to date on planning and implementation of OK – FTZ.
According to him, the committee will also review and assess the corporate structures for the operation and management of the Olokola free trade Zone and the mechanism for interfacing between Ondo and Ogun states and with the Nigerian Export Processing zones Authority
Responding on behalf of the committee, the chairman of the committee, Kupolokun said the committee will be committed and make more efforts to activate the abandoned project.