From Richard Akintade, Osogbo
Osun State governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, on Sunday, declared that the state is ready to transition to an agro-industrial society with the ongoing multi-sectoral infrastructural upgrade and real sector policy frameworks being put in place.
The governor made the remarks while updating industry captains and leading businessmen at the 60th birthday of the wife of a former Senate President, Mrs Bukola Saraki, in France.
Adeleke, who drummed support for the state’s industrial investment summit commencing this week in Osogbo, told the dignitaries that his administration focused on infrastructural upgrade as a strategy to ease the business environment and attract businesses into the state.
According to the governor, the huge infrastructural deficit he inherited from his predecessor was a strong disincentive to business and investors, both local and foreign, noting that his administration decided to massively address the gap to improve the economic fortunes of the state.
He narrated how his administration is constructing several kilometers of rural roads to achieve rural trade connectivity, construction of inter-city roads to ease rural-urban linkage and the construction of dualised roads and flyovers to ease congestion at major towns.
Governor Adeleke explained that the massive projects are also designed to deepen local and grassroots economy through the implementation of the state’s local content policy, noting that “we source materials and personnel locally to stop capital flight as was the case in the past.
“We are using local contractors; we are sourcing materials locally. By doing so, Osun’s money is staying in Osun. We are equally boosting the local economy,” the governor said.
On developments within the real sectors of the economy, the governor explained his plan to expand the economy through digital economy, announcing that Osun now has a world class ICT policy and a technology innovation policy that are set for implementation.
“For the power sector, we have a state electricity bill to create an electricity regulatory body to regulate power generation and distribution. Like I said before, the state will take a leading role in power generation and distribution to back up our plan to become an agro-industrial economy.
“For the agricultural sector, we have launched our agricultural revolution with tractor and input distribution. Value addition through agro-processing is in focus. We look towards an export oriented agricultural economy. We will soon commence the state agropreneurs initiative across all the local governments.
“For the sports sector, we are ready to unveil our landmark initiative, the creation of Osun State Sports Commission to develop all games in the state. My deputy who supervises the sector is doing so well and has taken the necessary steps to ensure that the sports sector grows and that the state participates in the upcoming games.
“I also have good news for the creative industry. Culture, tourism and entertainment are critical components of the creative industry. My government is implementing a robust actualisation plan. That sector has huge potential to employ thousands and generate billions of naira. We are tapping into those opportunities.
“Our administration is also working on a diaspora housing project in each local government under a public-private-partnership arrangement. We are looking at affordable and sustainable housing projects for our people,” he explained.
While describing Osun as an investment friendly state, the governor said it has completed plans to build an international airport with cargo terminal and a free trade zone, assuring that full details will soon be unveiled by the airport committee after due approval from the State Executive Council.
