OGUN State performed the groundbreaking for the development of its special agro-industrial processing zone on Saturday, assuring that the facility when completed, would generate over 20,000 direct jobs for the youths.
The $400m Special Agro-Processing Zone (SAPZ) sited at the Agro-Cargo Airport in Ilisan-Remo axis of the state, would be executed by the state government in partnership with Arise Integrated Company and is expected to be the biggest investment in Nigeria.
It is expected to be delivered in 18 months.
Ogun governor Dapo Abiodun who made this known at the ceremony, disclosed that it was the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, who persistently motivated and encouraged him to set up an agro-processing zone, citing the Gabon success story as the spur.
Abiodun, who appreciated the effort of Adesina, added that the AfDB President even invited him later to Cote de Voir where he met Gagan virtually and immediately keyed into the concept.
He noted that the agro cargo airport would probably be the fastest-constructed international airport on the continent, expressing delight that the location which was till March 2021 a forest and dump site has now become the airport city.
According to him, apart from the SAPZ, the Nigeria Customs Service has decided to locate one of its biggest facilities in the country and made full payment of N3.2b for the first 100 hectares of land last week.
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He noted that the decision of his administration to turn the push factor from Lagos to the pull factor to Ogun, informed the introduction of various policies and reforms, and also deploy technology to improve the efficiency of government and increase the state ranking on the ease of doing business index.
The President of the ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms, Gangan Gupta, said the company had invested in several African countries and he is happy to be in Ogun state, to contribute to its industrial development.
He added that the company would build industrial platforms that would transform the socio-economic fortunes of Ogun.
Minister of Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo, in his remarks, described the project as a landmark and a step forward to the economic revolution of Nigeria.
He added that SAPZ would help in agri-industrialization and create jobs for the people, noting “this is going to be a regional trading hub.
While acknowledging that Ogun has a rich history in agriculture and agro-processing in the country, the minister commended the governor for his visionary leadership and brokering of the partnership which has attracted a multimillion-dollar project to the state.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Industries, Senator Adetokunbo Abiru, who described the project as an example of how the private sector can be harnessed for the economic development of Nigeria, expressed confidence that the SAPZ would boost the agricultural value chain, raise revenue, create jobs and boost export.