Ondo State governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has said his administration would continue to provide an enabling environment to attract foreign investments and boost the state’s economy.
Aiyedatiwa stated this when he met with the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, to discuss investment opportunities available in the state.
He promised that the state will warmly welcome investors from the United States for the development of strategic economic projects in Ondo.
The governor said part of the strategic economic projects include the proposed deep-sea port, petrochemical hub, and refinery located within the state’s free trade zone, as well as projects in agriculture and agribusiness.
In a statement made available to LEADERSHIP in Akure, the Ondo State capital, by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, Aiyedatiwa said the deep-sea port project, once actualized, would ease congestion at the Apapa and Tin Can ports in Lagos.
According to the governor, Ondo State’s location on the coastline makes it a viable alternative for international maritime trade.
Presenting investment opportunities in the state to the U.S. officials, the governor added that his administration has signed Memoranda of Understanding with more than five major local and foreign investors in the last six months.
Responding, the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, commended the efforts made by the Ondo State Government to make the state investor-friendly, especially in the areas of ease of doing business and improved security.
Ambassador Mills disclosed that Ondo has been listed as one of the states recommended to U.S. investors who may want to do business in Nigeria.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, the governor said: “Of interest to them are our deep-sea port and the petrochemical and refinery plants coming up in the free trade zone area. They encouraged us strongly because these projects are beneficial not only for the state but for the country. They also noted our long coastline and proximity to Lagos through the coastal highway. Given our location, Ondo State will host a worthy port.
