FG to Begin Construction of Border Free Trade Zone in Imeko December – Adeola

The Federal Government is expected to begin construction of a Border Free Trade Zone (BFTZ) in Imeko, Imeko-Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State, in December 2026, the APC governorship candidate in the state, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, disclosed.

Adeola made this known on Friday during a stakeholders’ town hall meeting at Onimeko Hall, Imeko, where he assured residents that the project would be captured in the 2027 budget.

The proposed Border Free Trade Zone, being championed by the member representing Yewa North/Imeko-Afon Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, is expected to boost international trade, create employment opportunities, attract investments and accelerate industrial development across Ogun West.

According to Adeola, Imeko’s strategic location, agricultural and mineral resources, and proximity to the Republic of Benin make it suitable for establishing the trade zone, which would also promote agro-processing and cross-border commercial activities within the West African sub-region.

The senator, who said he had incorporated the development needs of Imeko-Afon into his nine-pillar ITESIWAJU economic blueprint, pledged to address the infrastructural and economic challenges confronting Ogun West.

He disclosed that he had facilitated no fewer than 80 infrastructural projects in Imeko-Afon since emerging as senator, adding that contractors had been mobilised to resume work on the Rounda-Alamala Army Barracks-Olorunda Road within 48 hours.

He also announced the immediate commencement of work on the second carriageway of the Lafenwa-Crescent University-Rounda dual carriageway, alongside the construction of nine major roads across Imeko-Afon Local Government.

Adeola further disclosed that modern classroom construction would commence at Community High School, Iwoye Ketu, and Community Comprehensive College, Idofa.

On healthcare, he assured residents that the four-storey hospital complex being constructed within the Imeko General Hospital would be completed in January 2027 and equipped with modern medical facilities.

He said the facility would provide comprehensive healthcare services to residents and also attract medical tourism from the neighbouring Republic of Benin.

“Work on the Border Free Trade Zone in Imeko will begin in December, and I assure you it will be part of the budgetary allocation for 2027. I have asked for land to be made available for this massive project. I can’t compromise the development of Ogun West,” he said.

Adeola appealed to residents to support his development agenda, describing the forthcoming election as an opportunity to address what he called the 50-year developmental gap in Ogun West.

He also promised to fulfil the electoral commitments contained in his manifesto and consider requests presented by residents if elected governor in 2027, while urging them to vote for all APC candidates.

Speaking at the meeting, Isiaka commended Adeola for facilitating several infrastructural projects to the local government, noting that Imeko-Afon accounts for about 20 per cent of Ogun State’s total landmass.

He said the proposed Border Free Trade Zone would create thousands of jobs for young people and stimulate industrialisation.

The Onimeko of Imeko, Oba Benjamin Olanite, also commended the senator for his contributions to the socioeconomic development of the area, noting that his infrastructural interventions and empowerment programmes had positively impacted residents.

The Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele; the Federal Character Commission representative from Ogun State, Kayode Oladele; and the Director-General of the Ogun APC Campaign Council, Senator Lekan Mustapha, urged residents to mobilise support for APC candidates in the 2027 general elections.

In a related development, Adeola’s engagements continued in Ayetoro, Yewa North Local Government Area, where he was said to have facilitated 120 infrastructural projects covering roads, school buildings, modern markets, hospitals, solar streetlights and ICT centres.

At the stakeholders’ meeting in Ayetoro, the Minister of State for Health, Dr Kunle Salako; the Ogun State Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Akanbi Omoniyi; and the Olu of Imasayi, Oba Lukmon Olalekan Kuoye, commended the senator’s interventions.

They pledged to mobilise at least 100,000 votes for Adeola and other APC candidates in the local government during the 2027 elections.