Ogunlesi, who served in the immediate past administration of Muhammadu Buhari, added that the state would soon transform into one of the nation’s prominent agricultural centres.
He referred to the establishment of infrastructure and initiatives in the state in the last few years, which he noted has bolstered the state’s position in the agricultural sector.
He said developments and institutions being established to support the transformation include:
1) Agro-Cargo Airport: Ogun State is aiming to develop an Agro-Cargo Airport. This specialized airport is likely to focus on the transportation and exportation of agricultural produce, emphasizing the significance of agriculture in the state’s economy.
2) Quality Assurance Center: An Afreximbank-financed Quality Assurance Center has been completed. This centre likely focuses on ensuring the quality and standards of agricultural produce, which is crucial for both local consumption and international trade.
3) Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone: Another project mentioned is the development of a Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone. This initiative, financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and others, is in the developmental phase. This zone is likely designed to foster and support industrial processes specifically tailored to agriculture.
He added that the state has financial backing from institutions like Afreximbank and AfDB to invest in agricultural infrastructure and value addition.
”The aim is to leverage the state’s industrial capabilities to transform and diversify its economy by focusing strongly on agriculture, including infrastructure for processing and ensuring quality agricultural produce,” he added.
