Ogun to boost indigenous technology with upgrade of industrial service centre

The Ogun State Commissioner for Industry, Trade and Investment, Kikelomo Longe, has said the government would upgrade its industrial service centre at Onijanganjangan, Abeokuta, in the 2021 fiscal year, to promote the use of indigenous technology as well as boost the industrialisation of the state.

According to a statement issued, Longe disclosed this while defending her ministry’s budget proposal of N1.2bn before the State House of Assembly Committee on Finance and Appropriation.

She said the centre, which was established during the Olabisi Onabanjo-led administration, required urgent improvement to meet latest industrial technological advancements, which would enable the fabrication of machines and tools needed by various industries in the state.

The commissioner said the centre, when upgraded, would through its various fabrication help meet increasing demand for indigenous technology, create more jobs, boost the naira, as well as aid the country’s fast recovery from the negative effect of the coronavirus pandemic.

She said that the 2021 proposed budget of N1,215,468,435.23 would enable the ministry, through road haulage collection, registration of business premises and inspection fee, to generate N1,225,000,000.

Longe  added that the budget estimate would also enable the ministry to create 18 incubation units and provide laboratory equipment at three technology incubation centres.

She  also disclosed that the state will establish a quality control laboratory to aid its exploration of various geological sites in the state.

The commissioner announced that the Ogun State Agricultural and Multipurpose Credit Agency, which recently got a board after eight years, would implement a capital expenditure of N631m and a recurrent expenditure of N108m.

Longe said, “The Market Development Board also has a capital expenditure of N70,489,262.70, representing 52.70 per cent and N63,265,942.21 representing 47.30 per cent, which would enable the board to improve the conditions of markets within its control.

“While the newly created Food Crops Marketing Board has a budget of N250,000,000, out of which N200,000,000 has been earmarked for capital expenditure and N50,000,000 for recurrent expenditure.”