Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has reiterated the need for the private sector to key into his administration’s adopt-a-school and primary-health care-center programme.
The governor made this call in Abeokuta during the 37th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN) themed “A Manufacturers Dilemma – Building and Sustaining Factories Profitably”.
The governor noted that the ongoing rehabilitation of taxes and levies would eliminate multiplicity and ensure the ease of self-assessment and payment in the state.
He further urged them to make it a point of duty to always pay their taxes, as the state government can only continue to provide the purposeful infrastructure through the payment of taxes.
“The government cannot do it alone, we have various programmes that you can support us in. I want to call on the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria to join hands with us, adopt a school, adopt a primary health care center, let it reflect in your corporate social responsibility, don’t just pocket all those profits, share some of it with us.
Abiodun said: “The corporate sector must allow the policy to reflect in their corporate social responsibility – don’t just pocket all those profits, share some of it with us.”
“We will continue to keep our promises. Also, pay your taxes, it is those taxes that allow us to provide purposeful infrastructure for you.
“As private investors, entrepreneurs and manufacturers, you must find a way to balance the bottom line so that you can continue to make a profit.
The governor who noted that the Agro Cargo Airport which is one of the required transport infrastructures to further complement the growth and development of the manufacturing sector in the state would be commissioned by the end of the year, also informed the association that his administration would soon be flagging off the construction of the Olokola Deep Sea Port which according to him would complement the Apapa and Lekki Ports.
In his remarks, the President, Manufacturing Association of Nigeria; Engr. Mansur Ahmed, who was represented by the Director General of the association; Segun Ajayi Quadri, while acknowledging the initiative of the governor in creating the Ogun State Land Administration and Revenue Management System (OLARMS), said that the portal has allowed businesses and corporate organisations to fulfill their financial obligations.
Delivering a paper during the event, the Director General, Budget Office of the Federation, Ben Akabueze, represented by Prof. Olumide Ayodele who called for the implementation of cost control measures like utility and telephone costs, also charged manufacturers to explore local sources of raw materials and machinery.