In the attempt to strengthen interest cooperation in agriculture and industrialization, the governor of Ondo, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, was Friday the host of his Bauchi counterpart, Senator Bala Mohammed.
The meeting of the two governors held in the Government's house in Akure, the state capital, is designed to promote the strongest ties between the two states, with special emphasis on the collaboration efforts in agricultural development, the improvement of the value chain and industrial growth based on investment.
In addition to this, the meeting also attracted a large investment to Ondo, since plans are being made to establish fertilizer production and a harmonial plant, as well as a petrochemical industry, all in the next 12 months.
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Mass investment is expected, valued at $ 2.6 billion, significantly drives the economy of the State, generate thousands of jobs and improve agricultural productivity and industrial development.
This came to light after a meeting between the state government and the investor, Dr. Abbas Waziri, executive director of the resident group Cement, who accompanied Governor Muhammed to Akure.
Aiyedatiwa who appreciated the governor of the state of Bauchi for facilitating the opportunity for the state of Ondo, emphasized that this key in the efforts of his administration to improve the economy and provide jobs for young people full of envelopes in the state.
Aiyedatiwa said: “I want to especially thank Governor Balance Mohammed for this development and for visiting us personally here.
“I have also seen what you are doing in the state of Bauchi; you have done very well for your people, associating with local and international investors to develop your status and that is what we are doing here too.”
The Governor of the State of Ondo took the opportunity to delineate the concrete steps that are already taking for the update of the long -awaited Ondo Deep Seort project, which described as a change of play for the economic growth of the State.
“We have the longest coast of Nigeria with the deepest draft. It has always been there, but for some reasons it has not been used, but this time, the last administration began the process that I am trying to complete it now to build a deep port, the first in Nigeria that can take a modern ship,” he said.
In the planned establishment of the “cement and petrochemical plant of the resident group” in the state of Ondo, Aiyedatiwa confirmed that more investors are already indicating interest in taking advantage of the vast natural resources of the State.
The governor of Ondo added: “We are ready and we are already building the necessary infrastructure. I just marked the duration of Igbokoda to Okitipupa Road and the second phase will be from Okitipupa to Mineral. Then, before the end of building its plant, the roads would have been completed.
“The typography is beautiful. Any petrochemical thing, refinery, maritime port on that axis, we have the space and is also a free trade zone.
“All this will be of benefit to investors and also for us as people. Therefore, I want to thank you for choosing the state of Ondo for this great investment.”
After the meeting with the investor and his team, the governor said that everything is ready for takeoff without problems, ensuring a friendly business environment, promising a serene atmosphere and the maximum security of lives and property throughout the state.
While talking, Bauchi's governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, praised Aiyedatiwa for taking bold measures to reposition Ondo as a preferred destination for investors.
He praised Aiyedatiwa's efforts to disaggregate sources of alternative income beyond the Federation account, describing it as a model worthy of emulation.
Senator Mohammed declared that both states, under a peer review mechanism, are committed to attracting investors for the benefit of their people.
Muhammed said: “Far in Bauchi, we have been observing you with great interest. What you are doing here, there is a lot of similarity between us, providing our people with leverage and latitude to exploit their abilities and find alternatives to gain a life to update their aspirations.
“The time has come for subnationals to take the initiative in economic revival. Our Association with Ondo State will focus on best practices in agribusiness, production of livestock and industrial value chains.”
The governor of Bauchi revealed that in his search to boost development in his state, the group of residents Cement has already established a cement factory of 1.5 billion dollars in the state of Bauchi and, therefore, expressed interest in replicating the same investment in the state of Ondo.
In addition, the investor, Dr. Abbas Waziri, said his company will invest in fertilizers and harmonial plants, as well as other petrochemical points of sale in Ondo.
“We are looking to invest $ 2.6 billion in the state and within 12 months I would be ready,” he added, praising the employment relationship between the governors of Ondo and Bauchi.