Ogun partners NEPC on promotion of local products

From Charles Coffie Gyamfi, Abeokuta
IN a bid to grow the non-oil sector of the economy, Ogun State Government has stressed the need for each state to take advantage of ‘one-state-one-product’ initiative which would be targeted at diversifying the nation’s economy.

The Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, who spoke at a follow-up meeting on the initiative organised by Nigerian
Export Promotion Council (NEPC) in Abeokuta, disclosed that the state was ready to take comparative advantage of cassava, cashew nut and cotton production in commercial quantity.

He added that this would enhance value chain preparation of agriculture towards the state’s industrialisation that would lead to employment and wealth creation.

The Commissioner said in a bid to promote the development of export-oriented industries, Nigeria should be an export dependent and not import dependent nation.

Ashiru said, “The state is focusing on rural roads and good infrastructure to enable communities within the state increase supply base of identified products while boosting income and export value’’.
He also emphasised the need to fund Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises to ensure the availability of Agro product in substantial volume.

Executive Director of NEPC, Mr. Olusegun
Awolowo, who was represented by the Director and Zonal Controller of NEPC, Lagos, Mr. George Enyiekpon, noted that the ‘one-state-one-product’ initiative was aimed at empowering the state and communities towards achieving economic growth through adequate use of local resources.

He stated that the initiative would promote the economic development of the country as well as create employment opportunities through value addition of identified product.
He stressed the need for states to put in place
machinery to sustain their products so as to meet up with international market demands.

Chairman, State Committee on Export Promotion and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Mrs Modupe Bosede, expressed the state government’s readiness to collaborate with
the council in achieving its set objectives aimed at improving exportation of locally produced goods.

The state Chairman of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Wale Adegbite, said they were ready to key into the initiative as it was a sure way of getting the nation out of economic down turn.