Ogun moves to build on N515bn investment as council on industry, investment begins today

Bimbo Ashiru, Ogun State commissioner for commerce and industry has disclosed the state’s plan to build on N515 billion new investments attracted to the state in 2015, as government embarks on aggressive moves to create more conducive business atmosphere.

Ashiru, who oversaw the localisation of about 100 new industries and expansion of multinational companies between 2011 and 2016 under Governor Ibikunle Amosun-led administration, spoke exclusively with BusinessDay against the backdrop of the National Council on Industry, Trade and Investment meeting which begins today.

While saying that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is expected to declare open the four-day eight edition of the National Council on Industry, Trade and Investment (NCITI) meeting on Monday, Ashiru said that Ogun State, being most industrialised state in the country, is expected to feature multinational companies and small and medium-sized enterprises.

The meeting, with the theme, ‘Diversification of the Nigerian Economy From Over Dependence on Oil Exports’, according to him, will provide the opportunity to build consensus and develop policy direction aimed at taking the industry, trade and investment sector of the economy to greater heights.

He added that the minister of industry, trade and investment, Okechukwu Enalamah; minister of state for industry, trade and investment, Aisha Abubakar, chairmen of relevant committees of the National Assembly and commissioners for industry in the 36 states are expected in addition to big players in private sector.

Apart from government-owned financial institutions such as Central Bank of Nigeria, NEXIM Bank, Bank of Industry, and Bank of Agriculture, among others, that will feature in different segments of the meeting scheduled to hold in Abeokuta, there will be special tours to multinational companies and designated industrial complexes in the state.

RAZAQ AYINLA