One of the best considerations for global economic advancement is the concept of Ease of Doing Business, which is indeed a conducive environment for business activities to thrive and break even without hitches of any kind.
It is also an environment where presiding authorities provide requisite infrastructural facilities aimed at aiding economic growth, coupled with favourable governmental policies and economic friendly regulations.
Ogun State, under the leadership of Prince Dapo Abiodun, has turned around the business environment of the State since his assumption of office in 2019, and by implication attracted many investors into the State.
Many analysts have ascribed the sterling performance of Governor Dapo Abiodun to his rich business background and acumen, considering his enviable success in private business spanning many decades, while others attributed his exceptional feat to his preparedness for power.
In any way, the Governor have proven to the people of Ogun State and many of his opponents that he understands political economy better than they could have thought and that he was ready for leadership long ago before coming to power.
Recent report indicated that the State is leading other states of the Federation in Ease of Doing Business, owing to the provision of requisite infrastructural facilities through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects in the State.
According to the report, since the State passed the PPP law in 2019, the initiative has facilitated projects with road networks rehabilitated and expanded as well as reconstruction many of which belong to the Federal Government.
The report noted that the collaborative agreement between the public sector and private sector in Ogun State was predicated on the strengths of both sectors to achieve outcomes that neither could effectively accomplish alone.
Without mincing words, under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, Ogun State has harnessed the potential of PPP to drive significant developments and give Ogun State focused and qualitative governance and as well create the necessary enabling environment for a public private sector partnership.
This is fundamental to the creation of an enduring economic development and individual prosperity of the people of Ogun. It is therefore, imperative to highlight some of the notable projects of the State Government and their impacts through PPP:
The Ogun State Agro Cargo Airport: Developed in partnership with the private sector, the Agro Cargo Airport was designed to facilitate the export of agricultural products, thereby boosting the agro-industrial sector.
ii.Ogun State Housing Development Projects: Several housing projects, including the Prince Court Estate, have been developed through PPP arrangements to address the housing deficit.
iii.Ogun State Energy Generation Projects: Lisabi Mini Power was developed in partnership with the private sector to generate 4.5MW Power for transmission and distribution within the State to Government core areas.
Other projects of the State Government in the pipeline through PPPs include the Olokola Deep Sea Port, Sagamu Trailer Park, Sagamu Stadium, Hillcrest Estate, PMB Estate, Lomiro Oil Palm, OGSG Pharmaceuticals, OGSG Forestry project, Gateway Hotel Ota, Inland Dry Port at Kajola/Papalanto, amongst others.
Without mincing words, Prince Dapo Abiodun has entrenched indelible legacy of economic advancement in Ogun State by creatively and optimally exploring the concept of PPP to create enabling business environment for investors and still attracticting more.
With over over seven thousands industries making wave in about five clusters around the State, there is no doubt that Ogun State will continue to lead in Ease of Doing Buinsess in Nigeria and West Africa business corridor.
In the words of Gen. Collin Powell, ” Great Leaders are almost always great simplifiers who can cut through argument , debate and doubt to offer a solution everybody can understand.
Without mincing words, Prince Dapo Abiodun has defied every pessimism, doubt and illusion to provide workable solution to array of challenges plaguing Ogun State for decades. Thank you Omo Baba Teacher.
Olaniyi Ajibola writes from Abeokuta.
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