By Banji Ayoola
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has unfolded his plan to industrialise the state.
He unveiled the plan at the maiden edition of the quarterly press conference by his spokesman, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, in Akure, the state capital, at the weekend.
Demonstrating commitment to actualising this plan, the state government has already signed several Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with different private companies to revive the industries.
Essentially, Adeniyan who spoke on behalf of the governor, said this plan is centred on the revival of all moribund industries in the state most of which were established by the Adekunle Ajasin administration, the state’s first democratically elected government.
Notably, the Ajasin administration was in power between October 1999 and December 31, 1983 when the entire Nigeria’s Second Republic administration, headed by Alhaji Shehu Usman Shagari at the Federal level, was overthrown by the military.
Expressing the determination of his principal to build on the foundation laid by Ajasin in the defunct Second Republic, Adeniyan said the governor is set to transform the state’s economy from its traditional agrarian cum civil service orientation.
He said the plan would be driven mainly by the revival of all state owned moribund industries.
The strings of industries established by the Ajasin administration, but now moribund, and scattered across the state, cut across the various sectors of the economy.
They include:
- Oluwa Glass Company, Igbokoda which harnessed local raw materials to boost local manufacturing;
- Okitipupa Oil Palm PLC, an agricultural-industrial venture that specialised on palm oil production, processing and sale both large-scale and small-scale;
- Confidence Insurance, Akure;
- Ifon Ceramic Industry, a ceramic manufacturing plant that explored mineral resources for tiles and household items;
- Premier Metal Industries, Ondo, which focused on metal processing and fabrication;
- Owena Motels, a hospitality and tourism venture providing decent lodging and business infrastructure; and
- Ire-Ekiti Brick Industry, a burnt-brick manufacturing plant as support for the housing and construction sector.
Aiyedatiwa’s plan to transform the state from a civil service-driven economy to an industrialized state was responsible for the resuscitation drive, according to his spokesman.
Adeniyan added that new industries would be established in the state as the governor’s efforts crystalise. Already, some investors have signed MoU with the state government to establish different industries, including power generating stations, and petroleum industries, among others.
In his words, “Governor Aiyedatiwa is driving the economic transformation of Ondo State. The administration continues to attract major investments towards the development of the Ondo Deep Sea Port, refinery, Free Trade Zone and fertiliser plant, while also supporting SMEs and agro-processing industries.
“The administration’s policy reforms are designed to make Ondo State an attractive investment destination where businesses can operate with confidence, thereby creating jobs and diversifying government revenue.
“These efforts contributed significantly to the return of the Dangote Group to the state, with plans to establish Nigeria’s largest industrial zone in Ondo State.
“Several moribund industries are being revived through Public-Private Partnership concessions.
“The state has also signed several Memoranda of Understanding with investors, including a US$50 billion investment agreement involving Backbone Infrastructure Nigeria Limited and Sunshine Infrastructure JV, a 500,000 barrels-per-day refinery, a 1,471-hectare Free Trade Zone in Ilaje, and a US$4 billion petrochemical fertiliser and cement project.”
He disclosed that more importantly, the governor is passionate about ensuring available, constant and reliable. regular and adequate power supply, the engine room of industrialization.
According to him, “Power remains a key pillar of the OUR EASE Agenda. This administration’s strategy combines regulation and alternative energy. foundation for state-level electricity generation.
“Although independent consumer protection and infrastructure development, while laying the foundation for state-level electricity generation, is still being developed, initiatives such as Light-Up, the Lucky Light Solar Programme, the O’Datiwa Mass Metering Programme, and the establishment of a regulatory commission are already providing relief to businesses and households by reducing costs and improving electricity reliability.
“The State Executive Council recently approved a US$1.6 million, 350-kilowatt hydropower project and a 7.5-megawatt gas-fired turbine to power government facilities across the state.
“The administration has also commenced the distribution of transformers to communities to improve electricity supply.”
