Katsina cotton, medical tourism parks for improved investment climate – NEPZA boss

The managing director, Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, has said the establishment of a Cotton and Medical Tourism Parks in Katsina state would bring about the needed improved investment climate to the state.

Adesugba stated this Tuesday in Katsina at a meeting between NEPZA team and members of the state’s working group for the establishment of the two special economic zones in the state.

This was contained in a press statement issued Wednesday by the Authority’s head of corporate communications, Martins Odeh.

The statement indicated that Adesugba, who led the Authority’s officials on a visit, said the two special economic zones when fully operational would change the state’s infrastructure and investment landscape.

It read in part, “While the Cotton Industrial Park to be sited in Funtau will help in accelerating business activities and bring about competitiveness, the Medical Tourism Park to be sited in the state capital, about 15 kilometers away from the airport, would invariably reduce the huge capital flight and losses through medical tourism.

“Our strategic plan is to have the medical parks spread around the six geo-political zones. We are happy with the Katsina state level of commitment towards these projects so far. The gesture of the state government to earmark 250 hectares for the Cotton Park and 300 hectares for the Medical Park is already a success story for these projects. We would be happier if a certificate of occupancy for these two lands is issued to NEPZA as soon as possible.

“We solicit His Excellency’s goodwill and office to facilitate the issuance of the relevant title documents in favour of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) as it is a major requirement by law in the declaration of an area as a special economic zone by the president.

Governor Aminu Masari, while receiving the resolutions from members of the working group led by both the NEPZA boss and the deputy governor, Alhaji Mannir Yakubu, expressed delight on the decision of the group to fast-track the process leading to actual commencement of work on the projects.

He said the state government was committed to ensuring the success of the projects, adding that the two special economic zones were capable of re-ordering the state’s development configuration.

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