17th September, 2013
Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Nigeria’s western state of Ogun on Tuesday said his government has not abandoned the multi-billion naira Olokola Free Trade Zone (FTZ) project which was conceived by his predecessor, Chief Gbenga Daniel.
He gave the assurance in Abeokuta when he received members of Ogun Elders’ Consultative Forum who came on a courtesy visit.
Amosun described the allegation that he had abandoned the project as mischievous, saying: “It is far from the truth.’’
The Olokola FTZ is an enterprise, which was jointly undertaken by Ogun and Ondo states, to serve as an export processing zone. The zone is located at Ode-Omi community in Waterside Local Government Area of Ogun.
Amosun said that a lot of works were ongoing in the project, adding that that he was only waiting for the appropriate time to make them public.
“I have now realised that people can no longer wait and it is, therefore, necessary to carry them along so as to avoid any misgivings,’’ he said.
The governor said that the works carried out on the project during his tenure even surpassed whatever had been done within the eight years of the former state administration when the idea was conceptualised.
Amosun said that he had met with Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the Chairman of the Dangote Group, on several occasions to discuss issues relating to the refinery which the conglomerate planned to construct in the area.
“The Dangote Group is actually partnering with us over the refinery and our officials had attended meetings with the group and other local and international investors. Ninety per cent of what is being done there now falls within Ogun.
“The projects that will soon commence at the area include the refinery, the deep seaport and the fertiliser processing unit which will be producing ammonia,’’ he said.
The governor gave assurance that the refinery project would start by October.
He, therefore, solicited support of the elders for the project and other government programmes aimed at expediting the state’s development.
Prince Bola Ajibola, the Chairman of the Elders’ Forum, pledged the loyalty and support of the group for the governor.