Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has announced the reallocation of resources under the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme to accelerate implementation and expand economic opportunities. The move aims to support the garment factory and other activities within the state’s Agro-Industrial Processing Zone.
Strategic Resource Reallocation
Governor Abiodun, represented by Chief Economic Adviser and Chairman of the SAPZ Steering Committee, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo, made the disclosure in Abeokuta during the Mid-term Review Mission of the SAPZ Programme. The mission included a team from the African Development Bank (AfDB). The governor explained that the resource reallocation was necessary to ensure optimal utilisation of available funding and maximise the economic potential of Ogun State’s agricultural sector.
Abiodun noted that nearly 75 per cent of Ogun State’s landmass is suitable for both cash and food crop cultivation, making the SAPZ initiative vital to the state’s food security and economic development agenda. He emphasised that Ogun State is largely agrarian, with about 75 per cent of its soil suitable for farming.
Integrated Industrial Platform
Addressing the AfDB delegation led by Mr. Bernard Ozinma, the governor said the Integrated Industrial Platform in Remo, a free trade zone in partnership with the state government, consists of four major zones: the Green Agriculture Zone, Logistics and Distribution Zone, Light Industrial Zone, and the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone. The latter is the largest, with over 2,000 hectares earmarked within the Arise Integrated Industrial Platform.
Abiodun explained that his administration is pursuing quick wins capable of stimulating immediate economic activities that would positively impact the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Gross Metropolitan Product (GMP). He also highlighted several donor-supported intervention programmes being implemented in the state, including OGSTEP, OG-CARES, RAAMP, and the Value Chain Development Programme. Under these initiatives, agricultural inputs such as fertilizers, herbicides, urea, rice seedlings, and cassava cuttings are heavily subsidised for farmers to improve productivity and boost food production.
Strategic Location and Investor Attraction
Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Olaitan Olabintan, stated that the hub was strategically selected within the state’s aerotropolis corridor to attract both local and foreign investors. Additionally, Agricultural Transformation Centres (ATC) located at Sawonjo in Yewa-North and Technology Park in Ijebu-East support agricultural value chains within the zones.
In his remarks, AfDB Task Manager Mr. Bernard Ozinma explained that the purpose of the mid-term review mission was to assess the implementation progress of the project, evaluate the level of traction achieved, and inspect ongoing construction works at the Industrial Platform in the Remo free trade zone. He added that the delegation was equally interested in reviewing the number of investors attracted to the project and the level of infrastructure development.
Commitment to Timely Implementation
Welcoming the AfDB delegation, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security and Chairman of the Technical Committee, Bolu Owotomo, assured the team that implementation would be accelerated to ensure timely achievement of the project’s objectives.
The Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones Programme is an initiative of the Federal Government in collaboration with the state government, AfDB, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and Islamic Development Bank (IsDB). It is designed to create employment, boost productivity for exportable surplus, and improve the livelihood of smallholder farmers.
