Monday, 6 May 2013

Ogun to Partner NGC on Alternative Energy Supply


Realising the critical role that energy plays in industrialisation process, Ogun State Government is partnering the Nigeria Gas Company (NGC) to work out modalities of having gas pipelines laid to reach manufacturing companies across the state. 
        
The Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr. Bimbo Ashiru, disclosed this at a meeting with owners and operators of industrial concerns within the Flower Gate Industrial Estate along Sagamu-Lagos interchange, and indicated that the move was part of measures by government to support industrial revolution.
According to him, the agricultural and industrialisation policies of government meant to among other things, generate employment would flourish when companies have regular access to energy without restriction, saying that “gas as an alternative source of energy is cheap and of minimal environmental hazard compared with other sources of energy”.
He stated that it was a deliberate policy of government to ensure that companies with value chain advantages are concentrated in the same area to make raw materials and packaging easily accessible and in the long run, reduce cost, pledging that it would not relent in taking steps to create an enabling environment for investors to operate.    
 
“That is the reason government is careful in allocating land to companies, the Governor is constantly monitoring the allocation of lands to ensure that only companies of same scheme of operation are located around same particular area” Ashiru explained.
The Commissioner expressed satisfaction about the cordial relationship among companies in the industrial estate, disclosing that no fewer than 25 companies had established their businesses in the State since the inception of the present government and expressed optimism that more are still coming.
Speaking earlier on behalf of other industrialists present, Managing Director, Nestle Nigeria Plc, Mr. Martin Woolnough, had solicited government’s support on having alternative energy supply in order to increase production capacity and reduce cost.
Woolnough commended the State Government for its untiring efforts to enhance security, infrastructure and skill development which he said are factors needed for industrial success, noting that collaborative efforts among industries within the estate were being intensified for optimal advantage.

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