Kwale, Delta State, November 12, 2025 – In a resounding endorsement of Delta State's economic revival, the influential socio-political group NdokwaForward has showered praise on Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori for spearheading the groundbreaking ceremony of the Kwale Free Trade Zone (KFTZ), a transformative project poised to reshape the industrial landscape of Nigeria's oil-rich South-South region. The event, held on Tuesday in Kwale, the headquarters of Ndokwa West Local Government Area, marked a pivotal moment in the state's MORE Agenda—standing for Meaningful Development, Opportunities for All, Restorative Justice, and Enhanced Peace and Security—fulfilling a long-standing promise that bridges the visions of successive administrations.
The ceremony, attended by dignitaries including former Governor Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, who served as chairman, drew widespread acclaim for its symbolism of continuity and progress. Okowa, whose administration laid the foundational groundwork for the Delta Special Economic Zone encompassing KFTZ, lauded Oborevwori's commitment to sustaining inherited projects. "In another five to ten years, the people of Ndokwa and Delta State will look back and thank you for laying a solid foundation for economic growth," Okowa remarked, highlighting the governor's maturity in governance despite facing fierce opposition during his 2022 PDP primary nomination. This bipartisan nod underscored the KFTZ not merely as a local initiative but as a beacon of Delta's industrial renaissance, attracting commitments from global players and fostering an ecosystem for sustainable wealth creation.
NdokwaForward, a vocal advocate for the development of the Ndokwa ethnic nationality, captured the sentiment in a statement jointly signed by Hon. (Barr.) Sam Osasa, Dr. George Ugbomah, and Chief Isaac Onyesom. The group described the groundbreaking as "a historic milestone in the economic emancipation of the Ndokwa Nation and Delta State at large," crediting Oborevwori's "purposeful and visionary leadership" for breathing life into a project conceptualized years ago. Conceived under Okowa's SMART Agenda to diversify Delta's economy beyond oil dependency, the KFTZ has evolved under Oborevwori into a 1,000-hectare powerhouse designed to host industries in energy, petrochemicals, agro-processing, logistics, and manufacturing. Governor Oborevwori himself framed the launch as "a promise made, a promise kept," emphasizing its potential to unleash unprecedented economic growth by drawing local and foreign investors and generating thousands of direct and indirect jobs.
The strategic positioning of KFTZ in Ndokwa West amplifies its significance for the region, long recognized for its vast natural gas reserves and untapped industrial potential. Brigadier-General Mike Ndubisi (retd.), Chairman of the Delta Special Economic Zone Management Company, revealed during the event that over $100 million in investments have already been secured for the Kwale and adjacent Koko clusters. Partnerships with the Nigerian Ports Authority and the African Development Bank are set to forge a vital industrial corridor linking Koko Port to Kwale, enhancing connectivity and trade efficiency. Goodwill messages from the Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) and key investors—such as Xenergri Limited, Eastern Delta Wires Industries Ltd., Africa Gas Access, Chorus Energy, and Masters Chemicals & Fertilizer Company—reaffirmed their pledges to accelerate operations, injecting fresh capital and expertise into the zone.
For NdokwaForward, the KFTZ represents more than infrastructure; it is a catalyst for holistic empowerment. "The Kwale Free Trade Zone will not only stimulate small and medium-scale enterprises but also empower youths and improve the overall standard of living of our people," the statement proclaimed. In a region plagued by youth unemployment, gas flaring, and environmental degradation from oil activities, the zone promises to convert challenges into opportunities. By prioritizing gas processing, it aims to curb flaring, improve air quality, and transform waste into viable energy sources, aligning with Delta's broader push for environmental sustainability and energy access. Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, echoed this optimism, calling KFTZ a "game changer" that will attract industries, create jobs, and bolster security through economic inclusion. He noted that power supply issues in the Kwale axis—primarily affecting Ndokwa West rather than the broader Ndokwa region—are being addressed via federal collaborations on the Independent Power Project (IPP), which feeds into the national grid.
The project's incentives, including tax holidays, duty-free imports and exports, and streamlined business regulations, position Kwale as a magnet for investors. Oborevwori's administration has aggressively courted international partnerships, from Brazilian agro-industrial collaborations to Swedish ventures in renewable energy, showcasing Delta's peaceful environment and strategic location as gateways to West African markets. The governor's recent inspection of the site, coupled with the enactment of business-friendly laws, has streamlined tax harmonization and public-private partnerships, earning Delta accolades as Nigeria's safest state for oil and gas investments in 2024 by the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources.
NdokwaForward's endorsement extends beyond economics to unyielding political solidarity. The group reaffirmed its "total support" for Oborevwori's re-election bid in 2027, framing it as "our collective project across Ndokwa land." This backing is particularly poignant given the governor's roots in the area and his track record of equitable development. The statement also extended kudos to Deputy Governor Sir Monday Onyeme, an "illustrious son of Ndokwa," for his unwavering contributions to the project's success. Onyeme's role exemplifies the administration's inclusive approach, ensuring that Ndokwa's voices are central to state policies.
As Delta navigates national economic headwinds, including fluctuating oil prices and global inflation, initiatives like KFTZ embody resilience and foresight. Aniagwu highlighted Oborevwori's harmonious ties with the Delta State House of Assembly—rooted in his prior tenure as Speaker—as key to seamless project execution. The governor's fiscal discipline, recognized with the 2024 THISDAY Governor of the Year award, has enabled ambitious investments without compromising on social services like housing pilots in Kwale and pension reforms.
"NdokwaForward remains steadfast in its partnership with the current administration and will continue to lend its voice and strength to every policy and project that uplifts Ndokwa and advances Delta State," the statement concluded. This alliance signals a unified front against marginalization, with the group vowing to mobilize grassroots support for Oborevwori's vision. Community leaders and youths at the groundbreaking echoed these sentiments, viewing KFTZ as a pathway to dignity and prosperity.
In the words of Pastor Godwin Akpovie, Managing Director of the Delta Special Economic Zone, the zone's ripple effects will extend far beyond Kwale, fostering ancillary businesses in housing, transportation, and services. As construction commences, the KFTZ stands as a testament to what collaborative governance can achieve: turning resource-rich lands into thriving economic engines. For NdokwaForward and countless Deltans, Oborevwori's leadership is not just delivering promises—it's scripting a legacy of empowerment, one groundbreaking at a time.
