Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun state has appealed to existing and prospective investors in Ogun state to partner State government on the provision of needed infrastructure in all the industrial estates across the state, saying the public private partnership arrangement remains most reliable means required to provide and upgrade infrastructure in industrial estates.
The response came against the backdrop of the Chairman of Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (MAN), Ogun state branch, Wale Adegbite’s allegation which claimed that “current impediments to manufacturing sector in Ogun state such as dilapidated road infrastructure within industrial estates” should be tackled if there must be development in the industry.
But, the governor, who was represented at the 30th Annual General Meeting of Ogun State Branch of MAN, held over the weekend in Sango-Otta by Bimbo Ashiru, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, insisted that investors and industrialists should also support the state government in form of public private partnership in order to achieve optimal development.
While justifying government’s investment in road construction and rehabilitation as well as other infrastructure across the state in recent times, despite dwindling federal allocations and revenue, Governor Amosun noted that the present realities and uncertainties as regards total revenue called for private sector’s partnership if tangible development could be made.
He cited the example of a road construction undertaken in Agbara industrial estate in which government contributed 70 percent, while a group of investors donated 30 percent of the total cost, as the best means through which impediments to manufacturing sector, mentioned by MAN Chairman, Ogun state branch could be tackled for better manufacturing operations and distribution.
He said, “You must have known what we spent on roads, bridges and other infrastructure in the last four years and what we are saying is that investors, manufacturers and industrialists too, should support and partner with government in this area; that is part of their corporate social responsibility.
“Some of them (investors) did that in Agbara industrial estate, if you look at that road, its world standard, its Ogun state standard. That is why we tell them (investors) to support government, we are partners in progress. They shouldn’t leave everything for government to do.
“But, I want say that we are not forcing them, we only encourage them to support us for necessary development. I want to assure you that the State government will not relent in its efforts in providing enabling environment for industrial growth and sustainability. Provision of security and rehabilitation of roads shall continue to receive priority attention.”
RAZAQ AYINLA
