When President Goodluck Jonathan visits Ogun State this weekend he would witness firsthand how the Otunba Gbenga Daniel administration has unleashed and harnessed the state’s strategic position as a result of its compelling geographical location to full advantage thereby turning it into the country’s leading investment destination of choice.

The President would visit two of the state’s three free trade zones and commission the Multi Billion Naira Chocolate Bar factory of Multi -Trex, the biggest single integrated processing factory in Africa and one of the largest in the world. Dr Jonathan would also give the presidential seal of approval to WEMCO industries, Africa’s largest nail and ceramic manufacturing plant. Both plants are located in the Isheri axis of the State.

 At the Olokola Free Trade Zone situated in the Ogun Waterside Local Government, the President would visit the pioneer camp of the Olokola Liquefied Natural Gas, OKLNG, project. It is the start off point of

the huge multibillion dollar investment spearheaded by the OKLNG in the

Olokola Free Trade Zone owned by the Ogun and Ondo State Governments. The OKLNG project is a joint venture being promoted by NNPC, Chevron, Shell and British Gas. On completion it is expected to add significantly to the country’s foreign earnings and further consolidate the country’s leading position in the international oil and gas industry. The OKLNG project will also allow gas asset development in existing and emerging gas producing states and also help the country to achieve its target elimination of gas flaring by stimulating gas exploration and production. At both construction and operational stages the LNG project will generate massive employment and boost technology transfer through local content policy. 

The Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone in Igbesa is one of the robust testimonies of the success of the Otunba Gbenga Daniel   administration’s

investment drive and Public Private Partnership initiative. This giant venture with the Chinese is a concrete example of the commitment of the State Government and the Chinese to provide special opportunities for the Nigerian people and the steady progress it is making is not in doubt with many factories and industries already producing and employing different categories of workers.

According to the Public Relations Officer of the Free Trade Zone, Mr. Liu, proximity to air and seaports, and also the already available Nigerian market,interwoven with the conducive business climate in the state, necessitated the selection of the area. He also said the Free Trade Zone is constructing a new primary school in the town as part of its corporate social responsibility.

By supporting and providing enabling environment for the private sector, Ogun State has continued to attract businesses in leaps and bounds. 

The fact of the case is that businesses are relocating to Ogun State from neighboring States as a result of absence of multiple taxations and the ease of doing business.  Otunba Daniel’s administration’s unflinching support for entrepreneurs from within and outside the country through incentives such as fast track processing of land acquisition, registration and building approval request, extension of infrastructure to industrial sites, facilitation with Federal agencies, waivers, deferrals of development levies etc. has made Ogun the country’s leading investment destination of choice.

And President Jonathan would certainly agree with this appellation after his visit.

Adegbenro Adebanjo,Chief Press Secretary to the Governor,November 9, 2010