By Yusuf Olatunji
Ogun State Government has declared that efforts are in top gear to improve on the achievements of past administrations to build formidable industrial hubs across the state, in line with the dreams of its founding fathers.
Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi disclosed this in Abeokuta, the state capital, on Wednesday, while interfacing with members of the Senior Executive Course 45, 2023 of the
National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, who were on a study tour of the State.
Talabi explained that the ongoing reorganisation of the State-owned industrial hubs/clusters would strengthen economic growth, especially in the areas of quick access to the city, markets, and other strategic economic areas.
He revealed that over N4 billion had been disbursed in the last four years for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in the state, numbering about 10,000 entrepreneurs through its various empowerment programmes.
According to him, the state government is open to partnerships to develop more small and medium-scale enterprises and enhance economic activities of various forms, as well as stimulating export for foreign earnings.
Talabi said: "This effort of our administration towards aggressive industrialization is strictly guided by an inherent developmental philosophy of ISEYA mantra, as entrenched in our distinct Agenda, which is Building Our Future Together."
Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olu Aikulola restated that the government had embarked on various policies and programmes in the industrial sector, which had strengthened inclusive governance and earned the present administration award as the best state in policy formulation.
Aikulola added that Ogun is one of the leading States in agriculture and had brought about a special Agro-industrial Processing Zone (SPAPZ), that serves as an integrated development initiative designed to concentrate on agro-processing activities in all areas identified as high agricultural potentials.
He described NIPSS as a high-level centre for reflection, research and learning, with the primary objective of serving as the nation's foremost policy 'think-tank' that develops a crop of top-class technocrats of high intellectual capacity.
In his remarks, a senior official of the Institute, Brigadier General Sylvester Oloyede, who spoke on the theme of the tour, "Industrialisation, Climate Change and Energy Security in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges & Prospects", appreciated the state government for the warm reception accorded them.
He also lauded the government in the state for its giant strides in all areas of development and growth, especially in its frantic efforts to alleviate poverty among the most vulnerable.
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