OUR INDUSTRIAL DRIVE FOCUSES ON PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT -OGSG

 OUR INDUSTRIAL DRIVE FOCUSES ON PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT -OGSG

          Towards strengthening the status of Ogun State as Nigeria’s industrial hub, the State Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment says it has built a robust relationship with industries through regular engagement and innovation on

cleaner energy that is in line with the government’s efforts to protect the environment against climate change.

         

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Olu. Ola. Aikulola revealed this in Abeokuta during an interactive session with members of the Senior Executive Course 45, Group One, of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, who are in the State on a weeklong study tour themed, “Industrialisation, Climate Change and Energy Security in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Prospects”.

          Aikulola noted that the government has consistently put the issue of climate change at the front burner, adding that the present administration had embarked on different power generation projects and also provided enablement for investors to take advantage of the vast gas pipeline network across the State.

          He said, “the Ministry has built a robust relationship with industries through regular engagement. Many industries in this State are already operating with cleaner energy in line with the government’s efforts to protect the environment against climate change”.

          The Permanent Secretary added that the Ministry was intensifying efforts on increased drive towards making industries operate responsibly and protect the environment, so as to avoid the consequences of climate change in the future.

           He pointed out that collaboration with the Ministry of Environment has been consistently combating illegal mining and promoting sustainable mining, calling on NIPSS and other relevant organisations to further address challenges posed by climate change.

         Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Ogun State chapter, Ms. Motunrayo Elegberun lauded the Ministry for building a cordial working relationship with industries, harmonising haulage collection and prompt resolution of evolving challenges facing industries, saying some industries still face challenges of power, forex, counterfeits raw materials, re-use of plastic, among others.

        In her remarks, the Team Lead and Director of Studies, NIPSS, Prof. (Mrs.) Oluwafunmilayo Para-Mallam said the team was impressed with their findings in the State, adding that the tour was not an investigative panel but an exercise that would help the participants understand the country better and make beneficial recommendations and policies.

       Meanwhile, the NIPSS team visited the Technology Incubation Center (TIC), Onijanganjangan, where it assessed the state of facilities and interacted with entrepreneurs.

          Speaking during an interactive session with the Center Manager, Mr. Ifelayo Adejoro, said the State government had approved five hectares of land for the construction of an Industrial Park within the Center, calling for more support on the provision of solar power, to help reduce the cost of production.

 

Wale Osunbiyi,

Press Officer, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.