President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday, called on manufacturers to increase local raw materials inputs in their production to help increase and improve local content capacity in the country.
Buhari, who stated this during the inauguration of the Ondo-Linyl Industrial Hub at Omotosho and the first flyover in Ore, in Odigbo Local Government Area of the state, said it would help to reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign products.
Apart from this, he said the industries will ensure more employment opportunities for the unemployed locals in the area.
He assured that the Federal Government will always create an enabling environment for foreign investors in order to help develop the nation’s economy, with a pledge to sustain massive investments in the provision of infrastructure across the country.
He commended the state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu initiative in developing the state through the establishment of the Ondo-Linyi Industrial hub and the construction of the flyover in Ore.
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The President described the projects as a remarkable achievement of the present administration in the state, saying it was an idea which has come to reality with hard work and dedication of the governor.
He said: “Let me start by congratulating the governor and people of Ondo State for this remarkable achievement. I’m impressed with what is on the ground here and I anticipate the positive impact it will have on people of this state.
“I still recalled the initial brief from Governor Rotimi Akeredolu on this project at its conception. Back then, it was an idea. Today, due to hard work, dedication, and commitment to delivering inclusive growth, that idea has now become a reality.
“I take this opportunity to commend investors who saw Nigeria and Ondo State in particular as a viable investment destination. I want to assure you of our continued support both at federal and state level as we move forward to the next phase of this project’s lifecycle.
“I am confident that this project based here will utilise locally available raw materials to create jobs for young men and women in this locality, increase knowledge and capacity, and support our import substitution policy.”
Speaking at the commissioning of the flyover at Ore, the President noted that the construction of the Interchange will boost economic activities in the State, ease traffic congestion as well as reduce accidents often experienced on the major road.
He commended Akeredolu for his foresight and promised that Federal Government will fulfil its obligations to the state on the construction of the Interchange Flyover soon.
”During the civil war and during my campaigns since 2002, I have become familiar with the terrain of Ore which is a connecting city between the Southwest and the Eastern parts of our country.
”As a result of this, the city has a cosmopolitan population that is in the neighbourhood of 300,000.
”This is a city that can be described as a mini-Nigeria as almost all ethnic groups of our country are happily represented here.
”Let me commend Governor Akeredolu and his team for their great efforts and professionalism in putting this project in place.
“This project is executed in line with the spirit and drive of the Federal Government which puts great emphasis on infrastructural development across our country, especially in the area of transportation,” he said
He urged the people and the government to maintain the bridge and said: “Let me also advise that a maintenance system should be in place to safeguard road users throughout the lifetime of this very impressive fly-over.”
In his address, Akeredolu expressed his administration desire to change the narrative in the state by creating more industries to develop the state, saying the industrial hub will utilise local material which will create job opportunities in the state
He thanked the President for finding time to the state while describing the integrity of the President as a motivation for his followers.
He said “What is on ground today, is a result of painstaking planning, serious determination, collective efforts and a proof that great developments can happen if all stakeholders come together.
“This project has the collaborative efforts and input of Mr President’s administration and your dedication to power sector reforms, agricultural funding, and investments incentivisation.
“It also has the indelible inputs of the Ondo State Government in several areas. Part of the strategic planning we put in place was to ensure that the industrial revolution is sustainable through a process of backward integration.”
He said the establishment of the industries would provide jobs for the people of the state while he said “already, our youths are being directly employed in their thousands. The employment ratio of Nigerians to expatriates here is in the range of 40:1 in favour of Nigerians.
“Our farmers benefit directly from supply of raw materials, and the multiplier effects have stimulated logistics, hospitality, construction, banking and other service sectors of our economy in Ondo State and Nigeria in general.
“The first batch of 100 trainees are currently undergoing this knowledge transfer through intensive training in areas of interest, with the understanding that they will be given priority of employment at the Ondo-Linyi Industrial Hub.”
“I am excited to say that you all will be seeing one of Nigeria’s highest volume Cassava to Ethanol Factories, producing 300 metric tonnes of ethanol, every day.
“You will also be witnessing, like Nigeria’s first MDF factory through Wewood; an High-Density Fibreboard (HDF) and Plywood Production Line;
“Ondo State’s first locally produced lace fabrics which are Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and MANCAP certified through Win-Win Textiles; and a paper production factory, amongst others,” he said.
The President was received by Governors; Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) Godwin Obaseki (Edo) , Minister for Trade, Niyi Adedayo and other dignitaries including the former Vice Chairman (Southwest) of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Pius Akinyelure.
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