Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has again reiterated that his administration will create friendly environment for investment to thrive.
The Governor, disclosed this in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday at a one-day panel review meeting on Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) of the proposed Integrated Agricultural Project in Iyemero Agricultural Corridor, noted that the project would take cognizance of safety of the environment.
Governor Oyebanji commended the management of FMS Limited and assured them that his government would support their activities, saying it would be in the best interest of Ekiti people.
Oyebanji, noted that the project would promote rapid development of the state via: creation of jobs, improvement in the economy , as well as place Ekiti on the national map of producing states in Nigeria.
“Coming today underscores the importance I attach to this project and because I’m so close to the team, I know that from day one they have placed all safety nets to this project. I’m sure its going to comply with expertise with respect to very good and safe environment for plants and for the inhabitants.
“And I must commend your team for coming to do this panel review and I hope this will be concluded in the shortest possible time. As a government, we will back FMS Farms, we will put our weight behind it because it is in our interest as a state and as a people to get this done.
“I’ve always believed that the road to prosperity is productivity. If the people are productive, the economy will change. One day, money will stop coming from Abuja, that is the truth and every discerning state must start to prepare for it and the road to that is what we are doing today. We have other investors that are coming up, but FMS limited is as at the forefront and we will support them.
Earlier, the Minister of Environment, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulahi, confirmed that President Mohammadu Buhari acknowledged the contribution of Ekiti State to food security in the country. He highlighted the importance of the integrated agricultural sector with particular concern to safety of the environment especially in this era of climate change.
The Minister, who was represented by a Director in the Ministry, Dr Musa Gashau, revealed that the project fell under agricultural rural development sector of the economy which is expected to increase the agricultural value chain and food security in the country as well as fight the menace of climate change and make Ekiti become one of the agricultural destinations in the country.
Dignitaries at the event were : Managing Director /Chief Executive of FMS Farms limited, Bunmi Akingba, representative of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, Mr Adelusi Adeyemi; Chairman, Ikole Local Government, Mr Sola Olominu; Chairman, Ajoni LCDA, Prince Micheal Ogungbemi and stakeholders from the host community, Iyemero Ekiti in Ikole local government area.