Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has unveiled plans to establish a world class cattle ranch through the Public Private Partnership arrangement.
Abiodun said his administration considered the opportunity the agricultural sector brings to the table very important, explaining that agriculture is one of the biggest pillars of the administration, which could help boost the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and reduce unemployment.
The governor spoke at the Oke-Mosan Governor’s Office, Abeokuta, the state capital, when he received a team from Irish Dairy Milk.
The team was in the state to discuss how best they could set up their manufacturing plant in Ogun.
He added that his administration was looking at livestock production/farming, saying he believed the proximity of Ogun State to other states could aid it to feed other states.
The governor said: “We are very excited by the opportunity that the agricultural sector presents. The agricultural sector is one of our biggest pillars. We see agriculture as one of our biggest pillars because through agriculture, we can employ our youths and we can guarantee food security; we can also generate revenue.
“At this point in time in this country, there is a lot of discuss on cattle rearing, cattle ranching. For us in Ogun State, besides the fact that we are looking at agriculture as a sector, we are looking at livestock as well, we believe that our proximity to other states gives us the advantage of being able to feed them as well via poultry.
“So, we are actually looking at how to set up our own ranches to be owned by the Public-Private Partnership (PPP).
“Noting will delight us in this state than to have our ranches, because even the cattle market that Lagos depends on is right here in our state and we’ve been discussing in the last one-week how to ensure that we actually have a proper ranch, properly organised ranch and an abattoir that will be world class.”
Chief Executive Officer, Irish Dairy Milk, Global Samir Boudjada noted that they decided to choose the state because of its strategic relevance and proximity to Lagos State.
“This is the ultimate state for us, the feedback is really positive and we are looking forward to being part of this private partnership and creating jobs in Nigeria.
“This is the gateway state close to Lagos and you know when you are sighting a factory, you need certain parameters. We need a seaport that we can send out our goods. So, Ogun State is strategically relevant to the business of these nature and we didn’t make a mistake, Ogun State has passed all tests,” he said.
