Ogun State is now environmental friendly for private investors- MAN boss
By ABIODUN JIMOH, ABEOKUTA
For providing an enabling environment to private sectors to adequately strive, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Ogun State branch has commended the state government for this laudable feat.
Chairman of the state branch of MAN, Saleem Adegunwa made this remark at the public session of the 34th Annual General Meeting (AGM), themed: ‘The Manufacturing Sectors: An integral part of making Ogun State the industrial hub of Nigeria’ held in Abeokuta on Tuesday.
Adegunwa, expressed that the achievements within the first 100 days in office and the future plans of the new administration was borne out of experience and necessity to know what awaits businesses under the new government in the state.
He listed some of the pressing needs which if acceded to would enhance the ease of doing business in the state and improve the viability for potential investors in the state. “They are demand for the payment of water abstraction/borehole charges from N2m to N450m.
“The unified truck drivers tickets which was just Introduced; charges on the bills for harmonization of taxes levies will have significant negative effect on manufacturers in the state. Renovation of major industrial roads, and urgent need for fire service stations at Agbara, considering the large number of manufacturers and businesses in the area.”
In addition, Adegunwa assured government of the Association support and would continue to encourage their members to support all laudable government policies and initiatives that are truly projects in the spirit of public private partnership (PPP). “We will ensure that our members pay all legal approved taxes, levies and permits.”
Moreovee, the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, ably represented by his deputy, Mrs. Noimot Salako Oyedele, appreciated the Association for supporting the government in the past, and particularly this administration.
She said: “As a reliable government, we understand that governance is all about the people, and we are committed to providing good governance that is participatory, inclusive, responsive, effective and efficient.
“In doing this, we are irrevocably committed to a viable public-private partnership in our developmental plan, as a way of providing an atmosphere that guarantees a more prosperous life for the people of the state and all those who have made our dear state their home.
“This government is committed to prudent public financial management anchored on openness, integrity and discipline, obedient to rule of law, amongst others, as well as to demonstrate and win to our side quality private investments from across the globe.”
Furthermore, she expressed: “Let me state that our administration is committed to making Ogun State a truly investors first choice destination, not only in Nigeria, but in the Sub-Sahara Africa. Our geographical location as the gateway to the country and the proximity to Lagos, the fifth largest economy in Africa, put us in a vantage position for this aspiration.
“The state will continue to experience influx of companies. We have deliberately considered the interest of our investors into the integral part of our master-plan. Within the first 100 days of our administration in office, we have put in place measures as the foundation to drive key policies in our PPP strategy, and are already recording positive results in that regards.
“It is important to mention that we are committed to providing a conducive environment which makes existing businesses to thrive and promote the growth of new investments in our dear state.
“Also, as a take-off, in August, 2019, our administration held an important meeting with the captains of industries in the private sector within and outside of our state with a view to partnering in related sectors. The outcome of the meeting has been positive. Let me assure you all that the various recommendations of that meeting will soon be manifested in concrete times.”
Similarly, Speaker of Ogun State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Kunle Oluomo said: ‘I am very happy to be in the midst of the Association. As part of our electioneering campaign, we will do the needful to make the state industrial friendly and to encourage private sectors to site their businesses in the state.
“I want to assure that the Assembly will not support or make any laws that will have negative effect on investors or hindered your businesses in the state. For establishing your businesses here is an avenue to engage our youths and our unemployed graduates in the state.”
In another development, Thompson Akpabio, and Agbani of Nastreal noted that the gathering was organised to discuss and deliberate on issues that are very critical to MAN, as a body.
They however thanked governor Abiodun for supporting private sectors and MAN during the last 100 days of his administration. “The last administration of killed a lots of company. Some manufacturing company can no longer functioning due to excessive charges on tax. Inflation of payment on water abstraction/borehole charges ranging from N2m to N450m by Ogun State Ministry of Environment needs to be discontinued.”
