Ogun State has been recognized by the African Development Bank (AfDB) as a strong partner in its development initiatives and project execution.
During a recent interview, Professor Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, the Special Adviser to the President of the Bank on Industrialization, expressed this sentiment following a meeting with Governor Dapo Abiodun at the Governor’s Office in Abeokuta.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the development of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone outlined in One Agenda, Item 18, as well as to clarify the subsidiary loan agreement between the state and the Federal Government.
“Today, we have a clear vision on the optimal approach to develop the hub, including the Agricultural Transformation Centre, to ensure that the significant Zone plans come to fruition,” stated the AfDB official.
Adding to the dialogue, Mr. Bolu Owotomo, the Commissioner for Agriculture, highlighted the benefits of establishing multiple Agricultural Transformation Centres in the state to supply raw materials to the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone.
The Ministry of Agriculture is actively distributing inputs to farmers in preparation for the upcoming farming season, aiming to facilitate plentiful harvests and enhance livelihoods.
Owotomo also emphasized the ongoing efforts to enhance capacity building by training Extension Officers to educate smallholder farmers on effective utilization of the provided inputs, urging farmers to adopt climate-smart farming practices for successful harvesting.
In a related development, the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) announced measures to ensure the safe transportation of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks in response to the recent explosion in Abeokuta.
Following a meeting with Governor Abiodun, the Director General of SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunoso Okeke, stressed the safety standards in CNG operations, slated for launch by President Bola Tinubu on May 29. CNG is recognized as a clean, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional petroleum products.
Dr. Okeke expressed condolences to the affected families and affirmed that SON would investigate the causes of the incident to prevent future occurrences, underscoring the government’s commitment to integrating Compressed Natural Gas as a vehicle fuel.
He also mentioned the release of two safety standards to ensure the secure operation of CNG across the country, emphasizing the importance of public trust in its usage.