How are things with you? I hope you are doing well despite the economic difficulties we are facing. As a government, we thank God for giving us the opportunity to continue to play our role in improving the lives of our people.
Last week, we took another leap towards making agribusiness a key driver of our economy through the flag-off of the Eruwa Agribusiness Industrial Hub. This 3,250-ha facility is being developed by the Oyo State Government through the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the private sector as a Public-Private-Development Partner (PPDP) project.
Having learnt from the Fasola Agribusiness Industrial Hub pilot project, we are better equipped to see to the quicker completion of this project which we believe will put Ibarapa on the world map.
Let me use this opportunity to once again thank all those who turned up for the flag-off ceremony. I will also use this newsletter to encourage our people in that zone to be gracious hosts. Development can only take place where there is unity of purpose. I urge our people to key into this project’s vision because this is one of the major ways of ensuring that our people get jobs.
The plan for that facility includes large-scale mechanised crop and livestock production, processing facilities, an agri-tourism resort, residential properties, and more. We look forward to commissioning the facility before the end of our tenure.
Still on development projects, I am happy to update you on the completion of phase 1 of the 11 MW hybrid power solution Independent Power Project (IPP). The IPP is a public-private partnership between the Oyo State Government and Elektron Energy. Phase 1, which is 5 MW, is ready to go live. We will commission this project next month on 6 December 2024.
For some years, residents have asked how we will power the Light Up Oyo project in the long term. We spoke about the main source of the tribrid power system. This IPP is the main power source. Once the final phase is completed, it will also serve the energy needs of various infrastructural facilities in Oyo State.
I would also like to mention that the Oyo State-Shell Nigeria Gas project is going well. We are determined to set the right foundations to ensure that whoever comes into this office after us will build up rather than try to dig out of the trenches as we had to.
I will conclude this newsletter by thanking you for all the questions you have been sending in. They help to keep us focused on the areas that we need to work on. I will answer a few more of these questions in my next newsletter.
Talk to you again soon.
