OGSG PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR OGUNCCIMMA’S AGRO PROCESSING PLAN

OGSG PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR OGUNCCIMMA’S AGRO PROCESSING PLAN

          Ogun State Government has pledged its support to the State’s Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OGUNCCIMA)’s agricultural processing plan, to improve agricultural output, boost export and increase the profit margins of businesses in the sector.

     

      Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Kikelomo Longe made the pledge when the new OGUNCCIMA executive members, led by its President, Alhaji Wasiu Olaleye paid her a courtesy visit at the Ministry’s Conference Room, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

    

      Mrs. Longe said the plan, which focuses on poultry, pig farming and local rice production, would boost agricultural value chain, translating into higher profits for agric businesses in the State, as more agricultural produce would be available for export to other countries.

          “We will work with OGUNCCIMA on the various steps being taken in agro processing. Beyond primary production, we must focus on doing some degree of forward integration to get agricultural produce ready for industrial use, make them ready for longer life, via processing and packaging into finished goods such that producers can earn even better margins than when it was sold at the level of primary agriculture,” she said.

          The Commissioner also disclosed that government was working on revitalizing and upgrading of the trade fair complex, calling on OGUNCCIMA to continue to work in preparation for the Post-COVID-19 era.

          Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olu Ola Aikulola congratulated the Chamber for the success of its recent election, assuring that the Ministry would not waver in its support for OGUNCCIMA and businesses in the State, as it would continue to create enabling environment to promote trade, industry and entrepreneurship in order to improve the welfare of entrepreneurs in the State.

          Delivering his speech, the OGUNCCIMA President, Alhaji Wasiu Olaleye said the Chamber’s plan on agriculture and exportation of agric products would encourage cluster farming, increase agricultural products and national income.

          Olaleye called on Governor Dapo Abiodun to lead in the advocacy for border re-opening, ‘’saying the prospect of agriculture is greater when international trade is involved and all hindrances affecting successful shipments and movements of agricultural produce are mitigated”.

          He said the move would enable the private sector make the best use of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) and the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCTA).

          Other personalities at the visit included; the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Industry, Trade and Investment, Ms. Sola Arobieke, the immediate Past National President, Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) Iyalode Alaba Lawson, First Deputy President, OGUNCCIMA, Engr. Mike Akingbade among others.