As part of efforts to enhance its investment drive for the socio-economic development of the state, the Oyo state government has reached an agreement with international entrepreneurs and financiers in areas such as supply of medical equipments for Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Teaching Hospital, Independent Power Plants, commercial Farming, Fertilizer Plants and Okerete Trans-National border markets.

The state commissioner for commerce and cooperatives, Dr. Kola Balogun disclosed this today, while briefing the press at the end of the state executive council meeting on the outcome of the recent trade and investment delegation to the United Kingdom led by the State Governor, Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao Akala.

The Commissioner disclosed that the government has reached an agreement with a united kingdom investing firm, the Commonwealth Business Council (CBC), for the provision of another 20 cluster megawatts in addition to the previously existing 25 cluster megawatts agreement with another firm.

Dr. Balogun speaking on the introduction of commercial farming in Oyo state said that the state government is also considering the possibility of inviting the Zimbabwean commercial farmers to boost agricultural production in the state, while another foreign firm has indicated interest in the construction of a gas plant that will supply gas as an alternative source of energy from Sagamu in Ogun State to Ibadan the Oyo state capital.

Speaking on the Okerete Trans-National border market, the Commissioner said that the state government has sought permission from the federal government to invite would be business foreign partners with the technical know how in that field to speed up the project adding that an agreement has also been reached in the UK for the would be partner to come to Nigeria on the projects.

Also briefing the press, the state commissioner for establishment, training and poverty alleviation Alhaji Jeleel Agboola disclosed that the State Government has approved skills and vocational training for women in thirty -three (33) local government council areas of the state. He said that the decision of government to extend such training to women at the grassroots level followed the success of similar exercise in 6 geo-political zones of the state.

He explained further that women beneficiaries will subsequently be empowered with fund and working equipments by the state ministry of commerce in partnership with the Bank of Industry.

In his own briefing, the state commissioner for Lands, Housing and Survey, Alhaji Moshood Oyebamiji told journalists that the state government has approved the building of a modern registry for the ministry, adding that henceforth, records at the registry will be computerized.

Barrister A. B. Ojo
C.P.S. to the Governor