Being the remarks by His Excellency Seyi Makinde, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, at the Commissioning Ceremony of the Resuscitated llaju Garri Processing Factory on Wednesday, 9th June, 2021
We are here today for the commissioning of the Ilaju Garri Processing Factory in Ido Local Government Area of Oyo State. This facility is one of the many assets of the state government which had been left moribund for years. As you must have heard from various speakers, this particular factory was established by Cooperative Farmers and Produce Marketing Society Ltd. Back then, it was funded through the support of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. But since the late 80’s this facility has been moribund until now.
So, when members of the Ido (Ibadan) Cooperative Society asked for government support to resuscitate this garri processing plant, we did not hold back. We were even told that they had approached various past governors but they did not get any help. But we are always available for our farmers. This is because our administration remains determined to better the lives of the people of Oyo State. And one of the ways we are doing this is through the resuscitation of moribund industries.
Like the processing plant we just commissioned at Ilora, the Ilaju Garri Processing Factory is another private-sector-led and public-sector-supported initiative. One of the things we did here was to provide a 65 million Naira grant to the cooperative. But aside from that we have also included the access road to this facility in the 200km of roads we will be completing this year as part of the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP).
We will continue to turn around all moribund assets of the state government and bring them back to life. As long as these assets will bring economic benefit to the people of Oyo State, we will not allow them to continue to lie fallow. So, let me use this opportunity to again call on investors. Here in Oyo State, we are ready to do business. Come to us with your ideas, we are ready to listen and to act.
As I have said at various occasions, our administration will continue to put in place measures, driven by the private sector, that will take our people from poverty to prosperity. We will continue to create an enabling environment for the private sector to thrive. This is the future of development.
With this commissioning, our people here at Ilaju can make more money from processing their cassava. When the NBS releases its next set of data, people will begin to ask how we do it in Oyo State. Well, this is how we do it. We take decisions that will have the multiplier effect of expanding our economy through the provision of employment and improved standard of living for our people.
Someone asked if we are not done with our two years in office round of projects commissioning. My response is that I will not be done until good roads, proper employment, thriving businesses and quality education are the standard in Oyo State. We are not resting on our oars. We continue to move forward.
And on that note, I declare the Ilaju Garri Processing Factory commissioned to the glory of God and for the benefit of the good people of Oyo State.
Thank you and God bless you.
~ Seyi Makinde, June 9, 2021