November 12 and 13 2010 he witnessed firsthand how the Otunba Gbenga Daniel administration has unleashed and harnessed the state's strategic position as a result of its compelling geographical location to full advantage thereby turning it into the country's leading investment destination of choice.
The President visited two of the state's three free trade zones and commissioned the Multi Billion Naira Chocolate Bar factory of Multi -Trex, the biggest single integrated processing factory in Africa and one of the largest in the world. Dr Jonathan would also give the presidential seal of approval to WEMCO industries, Africa's largest nail and ceramic manufacturing plant. Both plants are located in the Isheri axis of the State.
At the Olokola Free Trade Zone situated in the Ogun Waterside Local Government, the President visited the pioneer camp of the Olokola Liquefied Natural Gas, OKLNG, project. It is the start off point of the huge multibillion dollar investment spearheaded by the OKLNG in the Olokola Free Trade Zone owned by the Ogun and Ondo State Governments. The OKLNG project is a joint venture being promoted by NNPC, Chevron, Shell and British Gas. On completion it is expected to add significantly to the country's foreign earnings and further consolidate the country's leading position in the international oil and gas industry. The OKLNG project will also allow gas asset development in existing and emerging gas producing states and also help the country to achieve its target elimination of gas flaring by stimulating gas exploration and production. At both construction and operational stages the LNG project will generate massive employment and boost technology transfer through local content policy.
The Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone in Igbesa is one of the robust testimonies of the success of the Otunba Gbenga Daniel administration's investment drive and Public Private Partnership initiative. This giant venture with the Chinese is a concrete example of the commitment of the State Government and the Chinese to provide special opportunities for the Nigerian people and the steady progress it is making is not in doubt with many factories and industries already producing and employing different categories of workers. According to the Public Relations Officer of the Free Trade Zone, Mr. Liu, proximity to air and seaports, and also the already available Nigerian market, interwoven with the conducive business climate in the state, necessitated the selection of the area. He also said the Free Trade Zone is constructing a new primary school in the town as part of its corporate social responsibility.
By supporting and providing enabling environment for the private sector, Ogun State has continued to attract businesses in leaps and bounds. The fact of the case is that businesses are relocating to Ogun State from neighboring States as a result of absence of multiple taxations and the ease of doing business. Otunba Daniel's administration's unflinching support for entrepreneurs from within and outside the country through incentives such as fast track processing of land acquisition, registration and building approval request, extension of infrastructure to industrial sites, facilitation with Federal agencies, waivers, deferrals of development levies etc. has made Ogun the country's leading investment destination of choice.
And President Jonathan would certainly agree with this appellation after his visit.
The strategic plan of the Otunba Gbenga Daniel administration to make Ogun State the first choice for football and sports administrators whenever the nation is hosting local and international competitions was also consolidated that Friday, when President Jonathan formally unveiled the Sagamu International stadium recently completed by the Government. As part of the opening ceremony, President Jonathan who undertook a two day state visit to Ogun kicked off a commemorative match between Gateway United and Bayelsa United Football clubs. Both teams showcased their skill on the lush green field of the brand new stadium while some young lads also took to the tartan tracks in an inter zonal relay competition.
The sparkling sports edifice with a 10,000 capacity main bowl has a ten lane tartan tack for dash and eight lane for sprint. Other Unique features of the stadium situated in the heart of Remoland include a well equipped doping centre, functional restrooms and dressing room chalets. And in line with the requirement of the Federation of International Football Association, FIFA, the stadium which took just over 12 months to construct also has a state of the art public Address system and a synchronized digital scoreboard. It also has two tennis courts and two basketball courts and a volleyball court. The stadium which is adjacent the five star National Youth Service Corp permanent orientation camp also recently completed will come in handy as training venue for the corpers while athletes would also use the NYSC camp as Games Village when the corpers are not in session.
With the completion of the Sagamu stadium, Ogun now has the distinction of having the highest number of FIFA compliant stadiums in the country with three of them being built in the life of the current administration. The International Stadium in Ijebu Ode and the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Abeokuta, which was totally refurbished, can rank with any in the World and are well above the general average stipulated by the Federation of the International Football Association. Their Artificial Turf which FIFA insists as the maximum standard for its competitions are in superb shape. The two stadiums also have all seats galleries and of course Digital video screens which capture proceedings in living colour. The one in Ijebu Ode also comes with a games village and facilities for training for different categories of athletes. Ogun also has a standard stadium in Ilaro which is good enough to host major football and athletics competitions.
The President during the visit also commissioned the fourth block of the new secretariat complex in Abeokuta. The commander in chief also gave presidential seal to an event centre built by the Gateway City Development Company and witnessed the turning of the surd of a new Shoprite Mall designed to further develop the Isheri axis of the State. The President said the projects have the potentials to promote commercial and industrial activities in the axis and commended the Ogun State Governor, Otunba Daniel for his bold initiative and strategic approach to the overall development of the gateway state.
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