Ogun gov to support trade ministry to create enabling environment for PPP

By Merit Ibe

 

Ogun State Governor, Dr Dapo Abiodun has pledged his support for the Ministry of Trade Industry  to further create an enabling environment for the private public partnership in the state in line with President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.

Governor Abiodun made the pledge during a visit of the Minister of Trade Industry and Investment, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite to the state as part of her four day tour to manufacturing firms in the country and governors of select states.

•L-R: Minister of Industry Trade and investment,.Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite and the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, during the minister’s visit to the governor’s office on her four-day tour to manufacturing firms, yesterday

Boasting that the state was the , industrial capital of Nigeria and  home to over 6,000 industries,  the governor noted that last year the state won the number one state in industrial revolution, adding that Ogun State is investment destination.

He expressed excitement over the visit of the minister, appreciating her choice to visit the state, quest to push the frontier in improving industrialization and facilitating more local and international investments in Nigeria.

The excited governor pointed out that the minister will give a feed back on her observations in the state having shared the states  challenges and  successes.

In her remarks, Uzoka -Anite said she was impressed with the industrial expansion in the state, adding that the mandate of the president, has been for the ministry to find ways of increasing job creation, industrialization and driving investment. “I’ve come to discuss the vision of the  state and how it aligns with the visions of the president on the federal level.”

She explained: “We

have common areas on how we can partner, develop and drive joint investments strategy and plan in the state in alignment with the federal government.

“We are here to visit the industries and discuss with them,  understand their challenges,  how the federal government can support them. We need to know how the state government is supporting the state or can further support every strategy the state has to increase its capacity utilisation and expand the facilities to create more jobs.”

She noted that the president has promised to create more jobs under his regime and the ministry was trying to fast track that by engaging job creators, encouraging them and showing the support of the federal government.

On her assessment on the  tour of Lagos firms on  Monday, the minister said “the companies are doing well despite the economic challenges. What we saw is optimism and hope for the country going forward under this administration. We got a lot of commitments from the industrialists .

They committed to expanding their production, creating more jobs and supporting the economy in every way they can.”

She disclosed that the sugar manufacturers promised not to increase the price of sugar especially in this Ramadan period and would ensure that there is a constant supply of sugar. She applauded the firms for the commitment, noting that with the increase in price globally, the commitment from the sugar manufacturers, is a  major advantage for this administration.

“They have stocked up enough supply and inventory to ensure there is enough supply for the future and also committed to increasing investment in the backward integration program to meet their objective and target under the sugar master plan . So we see a lot of excitement and optimism.

During the commissioning of the West African Cubes Limited, which also took place in the state, Uzoka- Anite promised that the Ministry  will remove road blocks to legitimate businesses, encouraging the company, Tropical General Investment ( TGI ) to improve, as “we will support you continually. We are on an investment drive.