OGFTZ Road Projects Generate 35,000 Jobs In Ogun Communities
The Ogun-Guangdong Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ) has attributed the creation of more than 35,000 direct and indirect jobs in Ogun State to its infrastructure investments and expanding industrial activities in host communities.
The Chairman of OGFTZ, Halfsat Odunwole Tafawa-Balewa, disclosed that the zone, which currently hosts more than 100 registered enterprises, has an estimated workforce of 10,000 direct employees and 25,000 indirect workers.
She said the development had positioned the industrial hub as a major source of employment and economic opportunities for residents of Igbesa and neighbouring communities in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area.
Tafawa-Balewa identified the 10.25-kilometre Oba Adesola–Igbesa Road as one of the major infrastructure projects supporting industrial growth in the area.
According to her, the road was delivered through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between the free trade zone and the Ogun State Government.
She added that the project was complemented by a 4.5-kilometre road extension into the host community, alongside periodic rehabilitation of internal roads by the zone under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
She explained that the improved road network had enhanced the movement of people and goods, provided better access to the industrial hub and encouraged the expansion of businesses along the corridor.
Beyond direct employment within the industrial facilities, Tafawa-Balewa noted that the zone’s operations had stimulated economic activities in transportation, retail, hospitality, logistics and property development.
Also speaking, the Oloja-Ekun of Igbesa, Abdul-Azeez Oluwatoyin Akinde, said the construction of the Oba Adesola–Igbesa Road had significantly improved the economic fortunes of the community.
Akinde, who said road infrastructure was among the major developments he had witnessed since ascending the throne five years ago, described the project as a major intervention that had improved accessibility and encouraged commercial expansion.
He noted that the development had also attracted further government infrastructure investments to the area, including support for the Atan–Igbesa–Badagry Expressway.
The monarch particularly highlighted the transformation along Oba Adesola Market Road, where the number of filling stations and other commercial establishments had increased considerably.
He said the growth in businesses had created additional employment opportunities for residents while attracting people from neighbouring communities to Igbesa in search of jobs and investment opportunities.
Akinde recalled that during a visit by former President Olusegun Obasanjo to the free trade zone, he learnt that the industrial hub had almost 10,000 workers, describing the workforce as significant to the commercial, social and economic development of the kingdom.
However, he expressed concern over the pressure the growing population and expanding commercial activities could place on public services, particularly security.
He therefore appealed to the government and relevant stakeholders to strengthen security infrastructure in the community to protect residents, businesses and investors and sustain the area’s economic growth.
