ECOWAS,UNISO IS SET TO ESTABLISH AGRO PROCESSING CLUSTER,ECONOMIC ZONE BTW OGUN & REPUBLIC OF BENIN BORDERS.{PHOTOS}.

             The ECOWAS Commission, in conjunction with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), is to establish an Agro Processing Cluster and Special Economic Zone between the borders of Ogun State and the Republic of Benin.

Head, Private Sector Directorate of UNIDO, Dr. Enobong Umoessien, made this known when he led a team on a courtesy visit to the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun in his Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta office, yesterday.

Umoessien, who said the zone will be the first ECOWAS Smart City, that will be a hub of business relation within the West African region, added that the project is designed to improve economic collaboration among West African countries.

According to him, the government of the Republic of Benin has already passed a law that designates the boundary an Economic zone, urging the Nigerian government to follow suit in order to facilitate the execution of the project.

He added that the ECOWAS Commission is already creating a mega highway along Lagos/Cote d' Ivorian/Dakar, which will facilitate distribution and marketing of goods within the West African region.

Responding, Amosun said his government is determined to collaborate with the agency on the proposed project, assuring that not less than three locations in the state would be made available to the agency for it to make its choice.

The governor, who disclosed that the areas are within Seme border as well as Ihunbo - Ilase Ipokia belts, stated that it will be in the interest of all the countries within the region to have agro processing and logistic hub, as it will create better trade within West Africa.Amosun, while commending the idea of the super highway, was optimistic that it could be a fast moving train from Lagos/Dakar/Togo/Ghana and other countries in the West African region as proposed.More photos below.