The Ogun State government and Sterling Group, an agro-allied firm, are set to work in partnership towards the production of rice and other agricultural produce for food security.
This partnership plan was disclosed to reporters during a meeting between the state government delegation led by Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa and the firm’s Executive Director, Chief Tokunbo Aromolaran in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.
Aromolaran said the firm intends to commit $10million to the project when the operations begin.
He added that the target was to make Ogun the biggest rice producing state when all necessary arrangements have been concluded.
“We have done this extensively in the Northern part of Nigeria and we just realised that right here in Ogun State, we have a very reliable and forward looking government that supports the growth of agriculture.
“It is like a meeting of minds; we are ready to do this on a large scale and we are ready to put in what it takes to make Ogun State the biggest rice producing state in the federation,” Aromolaran said.
Speaking on behalf of the state government, Adeoluwa said agriculture was one of the major ways to generate revenue and survive the current economic downturn in the country.
According to him, the current administration in the state accords agriculture a pride of place in its programme and policies.
He assured the investors of government’s cooperation and support, and pledged prompt consideration of their proposal.
