Ogun partners MAN to fix decaying infrastructure in Agbara, other industrial areas

As a response to the complaints coming from investors and manufacturers that are based in Igbesa-Agbara as well as other industrial areas across the state, Ogun State government has requested investors and entrepreneurs to put down 30 percent cost, while government contributes 70percent to fix decaying infrastructure such as roads within industrial estate.

The request was borne out complaints and criticisms from investors which were published by some national newspapers, including BusinessDay, on the need for government to quickly fix decaying roads and infrastructure in order to sustain the tempo at which industries expand and locate their factories and businesses to Ogun state in recent times.

Speaking at 12th Quarterly meeting of MAN, Ogun State branch, with the state government in Abeokuta weekend, Bimbo Ashiru, commissioner for commerce and industry, said the level of decaying infrastructure, especially roads, is worrisome and there must be urgent and cogent solutions to this ugly scenario, which must be initiated by both investors and government.

He said although efforts were ongoing to fix Atan-Igbesa-Agbara roads to Badagry end with concrete road solutions, compensations are being paid to those whose properties were demolished. He said the fact remains that investors and government should use public -private partnership arrangements to fix and find solutions to perceived challenges that could inhibit production and distribution of goods.

Ashiru also disclosed that 304 companies and 225,000 enterprises had opened for business in the state in the last seven years and cogent efforts must be done to sustain the tempo at which industries establish in Ogun through the fixing of decaying infrastructure, harmonisation of multiple taxation, among other things, which could improve ease of doing business in the state.

Earlier, Wale Adegbite, chairman of MAN, Ogun State chapter, had assured government of constant support, especially as regards issues and socio-economic efforts that improve ease of doing business, but asked government to harmonise multiple taxation which always prompts officers of government at various levels to levy different fees on haulage and movement of trucks owned by manufacturers and investors within the state.

RAZAQ AYINLA, Abeokuta