Following complaints from investors operating in the state under the auspices of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), the Ogun State government has pledged to tackle multiple taxations and decaying infrastructure, especially roads, across its industrial zones.
This policy statement was made in Agbara Industrial Estate by Governor Dapo Abiodun, who was represented by Noimot Salako-Oyedele, deputy governor, and Sola Arobieke, consultant to the Governor on Commerce and Industrial, during a tour of three manufacturing companies – Eko Supreme Nigeria Limited, Primera Foods Nigeria Limited and Natural Prime Resources Nigeria Limited, all located within the OPIC Industrial Estate in Agbara.
Speaking on behalf of the state government, Noimot Salako-Oyedele said better economic policies would be formulated and implemented in the interest of manufacturers and investors as part of effort to improve on ease of doing business index by tackling perennial complaint of multiple taxations and decaying infrastructure at the industrial zones across the state.
According to Salako-Oyedele, Governor Dapo Abiodun places much premium on the relationship with manufacturers in the state, hence, his regular interface with them in different capacities, adding that since inception of the present administration, there had been series of meetings with MAN and related companies to further cement relationships.
She said, “The Investment Promotion Council policy of this Government epitomises what we are saying about ease of doing business because it would provide a one-stop-shop for investors coming to the State and provide them with information needed for setting up a business under this umbrella.”
Government is making effort on the reconstruction of the Atan-Agbara road through Public Private Partnership (PPP), she said, adding that Ogun and Lagos states are already proposing that the Federal Government cedes the Atan-Igbesa-Agbara Lagos/Ota-Abeokuta and Ikorodu-Sagamu roads to them for reconstruction.
She however lauded the organisations for working in line with the vision and mission of the current administration on improving people’s wellbeing by employing about 5,000 residents directly and indirectly, enjoining them to use the state’s job portal as the first point of reference when recruiting their personnel.
The visit was to see what the companies do, how they operate within the community, she noted, saying they should embrace government’s agenda on Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) by adopting renovation or construction of a public school or Primary Health Care Centre within the community.
Speaking rlier on behalf of the three companies visited, Toyin Elefontuyi, general manager, Finance, Primera Foods Limited, appreciated the state government’s visit as well as the Governor’s dialogue with captains of industries in the state, noting that the visit was a step in the right direction.
But, when asked about the possible quick solutions to the issues raised by the State government, Elefontuyi, expressed optimism that the issues discussed during the meeting as regards bad state of roads and incidence of multiple taxations would be duly addressed.
