Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, on Tuesday, offered cheques totaling over N1,450,000,000 as compensation to 195 indigenes (landowners) of Ijan, Awo, and Araromi Ekiti, whose land was acquired for the Ekiti Information Zone venture.
This was disclosed in a press release on Tuesday.
The compensation is in keeping with the Ekiti Information Zone initiative, which the federal government believes is a strategic {economic} venture geared toward creating an innovation-driven ecosystem and a enterprise incubation platform for knowledge-based enterprises within the state.
Whereas presenting the cheques to the beneficiaries at a quick occasion held on the Convention Corridor, Governor’s Workplace, Ado Ekiti, the Governor acknowledged that the EKZ is projected to ship over 14,000 jobs, notably for the youth.
“As a present of appreciation and in keeping with our promise of justice and transparency, I’m happy to announce that the entire compensation package deal, initially assessed at N1,118,852,813.00, has now been reviewed to mirror present {economic} realities and stands at N1,450,000,000.00, which is being disbursed at present,” he acknowledged.
“As a state celebrated for its mental capital, now we have chosen to leverage this distinctive energy to drive inclusive {economic} development and create a vibrant hub for innovation and service-driven industries,” Governor Oyebanji stated, emphasizing the {economic} potential of the Ekiti Information Zone and describing it as a catalyst for improvement.
He additional famous that the State Authorities has additionally engaged Inexperienced Engagement Restricted as a marketing consultant to make sure a simply and clear course of in implementing the Resettlement Motion Plan (RAP) for the Undertaking-Affected Individuals.
Whereas expressing his profound appreciation to the Federal Authorities beneath the visionary management of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for fostering an enabling setting for the venture, and to the African Improvement {Bank} for not solely funding the venture but in addition offering constant technical assist to the Undertaking Implementation Unit, Governor Oyebanji affirmed that past {financial} compensation, his administration stays dedicated to offering further assist measures to weak individuals.
In 2023, President Muhammadu Buhari accepted the Ekiti Information Zone as a Free Commerce Zone, making it one of many first service-knowledge enterprise parks accepted in Ekiti.
The Ekiti Information Zone (EKZ) is located on 208.949 hectares of land situated alongside the Ado-Ijan Street, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State.
Throughout its later years, the Buhari administration signaled Free Commerce Zones as a mannequin for {economic} improvement in Nigeria.
The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) revealed that free commerce zone schemes in Nigeria had attracted cumulative investments of N14.1 trillion.
