Dipo Olowookere
By Dipo Olowookere
Genuine entrepreneurs have been charged to tap into the economic prospects of the Ogun State, which has been listed among the five richest states in the country.
This charge was made by the Ogun State Governor, Mr Ibikunle Amosun, at the just-concluded 31st edition of the Lagos International Trade Fair.
Mr Amosun, while speaking on the occasion of the Ogun Day at the fair, reiterated the status of the state being the industrial hub of the nation with over 450 industries, stressing that such was only achievable as a result of the conducive business environment the administration has put in place.
The Governor, represented by his Deputy, Mrs Yetunde Onanuga, noted that, “The growth and sustainability of the economy is hinged on industrialisation, which will, in turn, expedite the diversification process and cause local production to expand, thus, boost foreign exchange.
“Having realised the potential of industrialisation, the state is not leaving any stone unturned to entice businesses across the globe.”
Highlighting some of the growth opportunities in the state, the state’s Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr Bimbo Ashiru, explained that the ability of the state to attract huge investment in recent times was as a result of its investment in infrastructure amidst other strategies, some of which included massive reconstruction of roads and construction of new roads to aid transportation of goods within the state, the state also offered land rebate as part of its measures to enhance the Ease of Doing Business in the state and also provided for allied services as well as other projects geared towards boosting investors’ confidence in the state as a place to do business and reside.
“The present administration in Ogun State opened the business landscape by establishing a one-stop shop in order to streamline the process of setting up business.
“The massive infrastructural transformation of the state was geared towards catering for the good people of the state and creating a sustainable conducive environment for the business community.
“This government believed that the more conducive and secure environment, the better for industrial growth and industry replication to take place.
“We believe that any discerning investor will recognise that these are the essential ingredients for successful and sustainable investment,” he said.
Mr Ashiru added that the ability of the state to own 75 percent of the Foreign Direct Investments (FDI), in the country between the period of 2011 to 2016 and to be rated as number one among the 36 states of the federation in terms of percentage improvement of the Internally Generated Revenues between 2014 and 2 I was seconded to the United Nations (UN) to represent Nigeria 015, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) are all indications that the state was fertile for business, thus urged all to tap into the revolution and blessings in the state.
