Governor begs investors to leave Lagos, invest in Ondo

The Governor of Ondo state, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, has said his administration was prepared to partner with both local and international investors in order to make the state the economic hub of the country.

The Governor explained that instead for the investors to concentrate much of their investment in the “traffic ridden and human congested” Lagos state, they can find solace in the hospitality of Ondo.

He spoke during the delegation visit of the federal government Industrialization and Economic Diversification team to Ondo State on Tuesday.

Daily Times reported that the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Usani Usani led the delegation to the Governor’s office in Akure, the state capital.

Akeredolu noted that Ondo State is richly bless with its abundant resources and stressed that it is also secure in terms of security to invest their businesses.

“I want to urge investors in the country to come and explore the untapped resources which are abundant here.

“We have them in their numbers here, let them come. The rain here is not much while the harmattan is not harsh.

“Ondo state has the second highest reserve of bitumen in the world and it sustained the western region before Independent and during the first republic because of it Cocoa produce”, he said.

The governor also seek the assistance of the federal government in building a deep sea port in Ondo state through its Atlantic Ocean that connect Araromi with the Ibeju Lekki in Lagos.

“The Atlantic Ocean that passes through Ondo State is the deepest in West Africa and also from Araromi in Ilaje is about 45 minutes drive to Ibeju/Lekki in Lagos.

“So, investors should prefer Ondo state that is free without any traffic to Lagos that is over congested and has no land” Akeredolu said.

According to him, Ondo state is also connected through other states of the country for business transactions and economic activities.

Usani, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs who spoke on behalf of the delegation affirmed that the federal government was already focusing on the Agriculture and manufacturing sectors in order to explore the opportunities in the states.

The minister revealed that the moribund companies in the country will be revamp to refilled the missing gap in the agric sectors of the country to attract interest.

He added that the agricultural sector will be prioritised by the federal government in order to create jobs for the unemployed youths of the country.

He also promised that something visible will be done for Ondo state before the end of the current financial year.
The minister further explained that Ondo State was among the ten states of the country selected for the first phase of the initiative.

Daily Times learned that other partners in the Initiative included the Nigerian National Petroleum Commission (NNPC), Ministry of Mines and Steels Development, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority and Nigerian Export-Import Bank.

Others are Bank of Industry, Ministry of Niger Delta affairs and the New Economic Partnership for Africa Development (NEPAD).