Oyo attracts N23bn in agribusiness investments- Makinde

Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo State says increased private sector participation in agriculture has enabled the state to attract N23billion in agribusiness investments.

Makinde also disclosed that the state secured $125 million in development partners-blended finance for rural roads, agro logistics, market and industrial hubs.

In a state broadcast to commemorate his administration’s third year in office, the governor said all these have contributed to providing direct and indirect jobs, adding that the state also trained close to 4,050 youths in agribusiness, 98 of who have started their businesses.

He said the state was set to support the others in diverse agribusiness enterprises.

The government, he added, would now move on to fix inner and feeder roads to make inner-city travels stress-free for residents, having been executing road projects that improved connectivity between the zones in the state.

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He listed some of these projects to include the 65km Moniya-Ijaiye-Iseyin Road, the 76.7km Ogbomoso-Fapote-Iseyin Road, the 34.85km Oyo-Iseyin Road and the proposed reconstruction of the 48 km Ido-Eruwa Road.

“This is why in the past year; we have remained focused on building an efficient road network, ensuring an interlinking of all zones to further enhance trade and commerce.

“Where roads go, development follows. We are already seeing the results. A recent mini survey on agribusiness in Oyo State since 2019 shows that by creating an enabling environment for the private sector to do business, we have attracted over N23 billion in agribusiness investments.

“Additionally, we have secured $125 million in development partners-blended finance for rural roads, agro logistics, market and industrial hubs. “All of these contribute to providing direct and indirect jobs for our teeming population.

“We are proud of projects such as the Fasola Agribusiness Industrial Hub which is about 80 percent complete and will be ready for commissioning by the end of the year. Investors in production, processing and livestock sub-sectors are already operating from the hub,” said Makinde.