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Remarks by Governor Seyi Makinde at the Commissioning of RONTOL Farms Industrial Cassava Factory

Being the remarks by His Excellency Seyi Makinde, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, at the Commissioning of RONTOL Farms Industrial Cassava Factory at Ilora Farm Settlement, on Friday, June 4, 2021.

Oyo State is open for business.

As I said while speaking at the flag-off of the construction of Fasola Agribusiness Industrial Hub earlier today, when we say that Oyo State is ready for business, we are not just mouthing empty words. We don’t just say it; we follow up with action. And this commissioning of RONTOL Farms Industrial Cassava Factory is proof of our matching words with actions.

For RONTOL Farms, we provided them with the land for building this industrial cassava factory. This is just the beginning. We are also constructing the roads within the farm estate and bringing a transformer in here to provide electricity and support the industry and the farmers.

These things often have a domino effect.

One of the core issues that farmers in the Oyo Zone, who are well known for cassava production, brought to our attention when we interviewed them was that they did not have processing capabilities. In agribusiness, we understand that there is more money in processed goods than there is in produce. So, if our farmers are able to get processing facilities, they will have more value for each naira invested in crop production. Based on that data, we knew that we had to provide a government-led and private sector supported intervention. So, when the opportunity came to work with RONTOL Farms, it was a welcome development.

And this is a win not just for RONTOL Farms but also for the farmers around this Ilora Farm Settlement, which we are converting into an agribusiness industrial hub.

Through the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA) we are positioning Oyo State as the agribusiness industrial hub in Nigeria. We have what it takes, and we are demonstrating to the investment community that we have the readiness and political will to make their lives better in Oyo State.

We have put a lot of government support in place to foster a great partnership. As you already know, we have the land, just as we provided for RONTOL Farms.

We are building the necessary infrastructure in the form of rural access roads. Before the end of the year, we will be completing 200kms of rural access roads.

We are also providing the infrastructure for power supply. Our Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources is working hard to enable transformers and install solar power in off-grid areas.

Asides from these, we are ensuring that we operate a very tax-friendly administration. Multiple taxations is now a thing of the past in Oyo State.

So, for those of you seated in the audience who are wondering if you should invest in Oyo State, just come and talk to us. We are very responsive. Whether you choose to invest in the agribusiness sector through OYSADA or invest in some other sector such as our tourism sector, which we are presently promoting, we have the Oyo State Investment and Public-Private Partnership Agency (OYSIPA) just waiting to discuss details with you.

On this note, I hereby declare the RONTOL Farms Industrial Cassava Factory commissioned to the glory of God and for the benefit of the good people of Oyo State.

~ Governor Seyi Makinde, June 4, 2021

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