OUR INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ‘LL SOON GET APPROVAL FOR NON-SCHEDULED, SCHEDULED FLIGHTS - ABIODUN
Ogun State International Airport is set to get an approval to begin to operate non-scheduled and scheduled flights in the next few weeks.
The state Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, made this known during the 13th International Trade Fair Breakfast Meeting of Governor Dapo Abiodun with Chief Executive Officers, Captains of Industry, Entrepreneurs, Investors and Stakeholders, at the Mitros Residence, GRA, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Governor Abiodun at the meeting revealed that President Bola Tinubu had approved the airport zone, which is in a Special Agro-Processing Zone, as a Free Trade Zone, adding that a neighbouring country had indicated interest to export its agro-produce from the Airport.
"Our newly built Gateway International Airport which will soon be commissioned, I believe as a matter of fact, this week, that airport will get an approval to begin to operate non-scheduled flights, meaning that private planes can now fly flights and come to that airport, just like they go to any other airport.
"I believe within the next two weeks or less, we will also get the approval for scheduled flights to begin to operate out of that airport", he said.
He added Kajola Inland Container Terminal would soon be flagged-off, saying the terminal, when fully operational, would allow investors in the state an opportunity to pick up their containers, process raw materials and export their goods seamlessly.
Governor Abiodun also informed that the Red and the Blue lines would be extended from Lagos to the state, to facilitate easy transportation of goods, people and services between Lagos, Ogun and the rest of the hinterland, expressing commitment to the completion of Agbara-Atan-Lusada Road, as well as rehabilitation of internal roads within Agbara.
He assured investors that his administration would continue to improve the investment climate in the state and not relent in supporting industries to thrive, saying his administration had provided support to businesses to cushion the effect of the challenging time, just as it intervened by providing maize at a highly subsidised rate in the agricultural sector.
He stated that government would continue to build on the foundation established in the state through the “ISEYA” mantra, improve infrastructure, address security kinetically and non-kinetically, to aid the over 6,000 industries operating in the state, appealing to investors to stop approaching land speculators, but rather approach Bureau of Lands and Survey to avoid paying twice for their properties.
“We will continue to do what is expected of us as government to support you. We will continue to cushion the effect of the economy, not just for our citizens but also for industries”, he said.
The governor appreciated participants for participating in the 13th Gateway International Trade Fair, calling for their continuous support in future Trade Fairs and the state.
Earlier, Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Adebola Sofela, disclosed that the meeting is meant to foster relationship between the government and the private sector, adding that the gathering would provide an opportunity for the state government to inform the private sector about policies of government, to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable growth.
On his part, West Zonal Director, Nigeria Investment Promotion Council(NIPC), Lawal Hassan, who noted that the state was fast becoming the investment choice for investors, due to its conducive business environment lauded the Abiodun-led administration for improving the investment climate in the State, noting that the Agbara Industrial Zone remains the largest industrial zone in Africa, while Ogun State has been ranked as the most improved in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in Nigeria and the second leading economically viable in the country.
Contributing, Group Managing Director, Flour Mills Plc, Mr. Boye Olusanya commended the efforts of the state government, calling on it to continue to break new grounds.
Oluwafunso Obasan & Wale Osunbiyi
Press Officers, Office of the Gov. & Min. of Commerce, Trade & Investment
GOV. ABIODUN REITERATES COMMITMENT TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE HEALTHCARE SERVICES
Reiterating his commitment at ensuring adequate provision of healthcare services, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun said over 1,500 surgeries have been performed, free of charge under its free surgical intervention programme.
Governor Abiodun made this known while monitoring the sale of rice to workers on Grade Levels 1 to 7, at discounted rates by the state government, ‘Oja Irorun’ Civil Servants Farmers’ Market, Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, saying the initiative was for residents to benefit from free healthcare services, as government would continue to be proactive in addressing the welfare of the people, especially during the economic downturn in the country.
"To date, we have done over 1,500 free surgeries. We have provided free healthcare service to pregnant women, the aged and vulnerable", he said.
The state’s helmsman added that payment of N50,000 to over 80,000 tertiary students of the state origin across the country, payment of N10,000 to over 40,000 indigent students in public primary and secondary schools in the state, as well as the sale of rice at discounted rates to civil servants, were part of efforts of his administration to cushion the effect of inflation being experienced in the economy in recent time.
Gov. Abiodun, who expressed delight at the hitch-free exercise, stressed that Civil Servants were representative of a unique and identifiable of the society, noting that whatever is done for workers have direct impact on the society.
The governor directed that no Civil Servant on Grade Level (GL) 1- 14 should buy more than 20kg of rice, so that everyone would benefit, while GL 15 and above could buy up to 50kg, pointing out that 10 kilogramme (kg) of the item would be sold at the rate of N8,500, while 20kg and 40kg for N17,000 and N34,000 respectively.
He disclosed that other food items like Gari would soon be sold at discounted prices, commending the Head of Service (HoS), Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, for making the exercise seamless.
Earlier, Mr. Onasanya commended the governor for making the food item available for workers, saying the sales, which started over the weekend, was fool-proof, as Permanent Secretaries and Directors of Administration of all Ministries, Departments and Agencies were on ground to verify their staff, to ensure accountability in the purchase of the commodity.
Responding on behalf of other beneficiaries, Mr. Ishola Sofoluwe from the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, thanked Governor Abiodun for the gesture, saying it would go a long way in helping them to make life more bearable for their families.
Oluwafunso Obasan,
Press Officer, Office of the Governor
RAINSTORM: RESIDENTS ASSURED OF PROMPT RESTORATION OF DAMAGED ELECTRICITY POLES
In the aftermath of the recent rainstorm at Sango-Ota axis, in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of the state, residents have been assured of timely restoration of damaged electricity poles in the area.
Chairman, Engr. Sheriff Musa gave the assurance during a visit to the affected communities, such as, Iyesi, Osuke Town, Egan Road, lyana-Ilogbo, Ijaba, Itele, Lafenwa, Singer, Joju, Alishiba, Oju-Ore, among others, disclosing that Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), had been contacted to fix the poles.
The Chairman stated that arrangements had been made to secure the damaged electricity poles and cables in the affected forty communities, to prevent hoodlums from tampering with them, imploring the people to be patient and stay away from the poles to forestall any eventuality.
Also, the Olota of Ota, Oba Abdukabir Obalanlege, in a separate visit to the area, thanked God for sparing lives, as no life was lost in the incident.
He assured the residents of liaising with the concerned authority to do the needful in ensuring quick restoration of electricity, calling on the people to cooperate, in order to fast-track the repairs.
Commenting, a trader at Ketere Market, Mr. Kolawole Odunoye, said the rainstorm was a natural disaster, advising people to get prepared for rainy season this year and eschew dumping of refuse in drainages.
'Tope Bankole,
ZIO OTA
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