Ogun Woos Foreign, Domestic Investors To Boost Development

Ogun State Government has invested massively in the security architecture by providing security agencies with modern crime-fighting tools to secure lives and properties in the State, the state Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Dapo Okuboyejo, said on Friday.

Okuboyejo, who is also Chief Economic Adviser (CEA) to Governor Dapo Abiodun, stated this in Abeokuta, the state capital, on Friday, while addressing the South Africa-Nigeria Business Chamber, in an investment webinar, with the theme: “Navigating The Investment Landscape In Ogun State, Nigeria: Key Sectors and Growth Areas.”

According to him, the State Government has created a conducive business environment for both local and international investors to operate in the State.

The Economic Adviser noted that Ogun State has over 16,000 square kilometers of land mass, of which about 65 percent is suitable for agriculture, noting that commercial farmers could take advantage of the all-year farming and the conducive climate to go into food or cash crops cultivation.

Speaking on the business opportunities that abound in the State, Okubadejo said sectors like infrastructure, education, real estate, transportation and ICT were open for investment, adding that with international border and its closeness to the nation’s economic capital, Lagos, Ogun State provides the best destination of choice for Investors.

He said: “In the area of solid minerals, Ogun State is probably number one in the country as we have several minerals from limestone to bitumen, sulphate, granite and clay, among others.

“Of all these minerals, only a few are currently being exploited and developed and, of course, the most developed is the limestone where we have the largest cement companies in the country.

“We have a strong relationship with the Federal Government to be able to embark on a joint venture or partnership with any foreign investor that is interested in developing out mineral opportunities.”

He said the state government has opened up business clusters and has also built an aerotropolis, not just as a processing zone, but provided with greenhouse, residential, hospitality business which is opened for investors.

Okuboyejo also said opportunities abound in the power sector whereby investors could go into solar panel production, independent power generation and distribution, just as he noted that the government is working on Free Trade Zones at Olokola, Ogun Waterside and a Dry Port at Kajola, Abeokuta.

While speaking on the steps taken to ensure the ease-of-doing-business in the State, the commissioner said an investment facilitation agency has been set up to provide one-stop solution, including assisting with inquiries, providing detailed information on investment opportunities, guiding investors through regulatory requirements, to ensure business operations.

Okubadejo, while assuring of adequate manpower as a result of numerous higher institutions of higher learning in the state, said investors interested in doing business would benefit from tax waivers, rebate and other incentives that benefit their investments.

Also speaking, Commissioner for Transportation, Engr. Gbenga Dairo, said the state government had put in place a multimodal transportation plan that incorporated road, rail, sea, adding that investors are encouraged to invest in rail, airport management and the use of technology as an enforcement tool in the transportation sector.

Dairo also stressed the need for investors to look into the tourism sector of the state economy as it provides a good opportunity.

Also speaking, Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Adebola Sofela, said a lot had been done on land administration just as the State has invested in security for conducive business environment.

He said a lot has been done to expose the ‘adire’ fabric to the outside world, noting that more could be achieved if modern technology is used in producing the fabrics.