Positive work towards industrialisation and infrastructure development are key reasons for re-electing four governors in yesterday’s gubernatorial elections, BusinessDay research has shown.
In Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun’s return may be ascribed to favourable economic policies that successfully attracted huge industrial investments to the state.
Within four years of Amosun’s administration, close to 60 manufacturing companies, with huge employment potential, berthed in the state.
Companies such as Procter & Gamble (P&G), Atlantic Distilleries Limited (a subsidiary of Lexcel Group) and West African Ceramics Limited, among others, entered the state, making huge GDP contribution and creating jobs for many.
Ogun, now Nigeria’s industrial hub, recorded the highest manufacturing investment in the first half of 2014 in the country, according to the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN). Ogun recorded N377 billion worth of investments within the period, representing 78 percent of N483 billion worth of investments made in the whole of the manufacturing sector within the period under review. These investments were made in Agbara, Otta, Mowe/Ibafo and Shagamu.
“Our survey has revealed that the majority of manufacturing investments were directed towards Ogun industrial axis, which consists of Otta, Agbara, Ibafo/Mowe and Shagamu industrial areas,” the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) said, in its January to July 2014 Economic Review.
In September 2014, Bimbo Ashiru, commissioner for commerce and industry in the state, said the state had attracted a total of 50 new investments worth $10 billion since the inception of the Amosun administration.
There are external economies of scale among companies in the state, as firms in industrial zones share resources and cost, resulting in improved margins and reduced cost.
Favourable taxes, absence of constant harassment by tax collectors and thugs, along with congestion in Lagos, and the provision of a good network of roads linking industrial estates to cities, have been keys to the state’s strong industrial base.
In Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi coasted home to victory on the basis of infrastructure development, say analysts. Completion of Mokola Flyover and Restoration Bridge, as well as key road networks such as Onireke, Eleyele-Dugbe, Owode-Akesan, Taki-Ilorin and Iseyin, among others, were instrumental to Ajimobi’s return.
Also, the industrial take-off in Ogun is clearly rubbing off on Oyo State, as more than 20 manufacturers and agro-processors have set up plants in the state.
Companies such as Karmal Milk Industries and Oriental Foods, among others, have berthed in the state, for reasons described as friendly tax system and improved infrastructure.
The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria said investments in Oyo/Ondo/Osun/Ekiti in the first half of 2014 were worth N19.2 billion.
Already, a Chinese group is setting up a transformer plant in the state, while many shopping malls have been established.
The Oyo State government has not ceased from saying that its priority focus are agriculture, wholesale and retail trade, telecommunication and manufacturing. The state is known for its huge agro-processing potential, which has created thousands of jobs for residents of the state.
Beyond party affiliations in Imo State, Rochas Okorocha is a stand-out governor who has, like Obafemi Awolowo, realised the economic potential of free, functional and qualitative education on the people.
His free education up to the tertiary level for Imo natives made him gain substantial support. Okorocha gave monthly stipends for uniforms, sandals, bags, chairs, desks, model primary school blocks, in each ward, to school children and put in place new general hospitals in the 27 local government areas in the state.
Realising that Gombe State is considered an educationally less advanced state, Ibrahim Dankwambo set out to ensure that the majority of the people had access to good and affordable education.
This had a mass appeal, as so many illiterate citizens were able to enrol in the College of Basic Studies in Kumo, College of Education in Billiri and a School of Nursing, among others.
Despite controvery over his N30 billion bond from the capital market, suffice it to prove that many primary and secondary schools have been established to accommodate the citizens and other natives of Yobe, Adamawa and Borno, who were displaced by insecurity in their states.
Before his tenure, students used to study under the trees and teacher-student ratio was low. But this has all changed. Moreover, there has been moderate water supply within his tenure unlike before.
His belief in prudent management made Dakawambo sign the Fiscal Responsibility Act into law in order to show his lieutenants that there was no room for embezzlement or other sharp practices.
Despite the state’s low allocation, Dakwambo has been able to ensure that his people are not drawn into insurgency that characterises his North-East neighbours.
Odinaka Anudu
