By Josephine Oguntoyinbo

The Ondo State House of Assembly has described commerce and industry as one of the antidotes for sustainable development in the nation.

It therefore assured continuous support for every initiative towards a commercial and industrial revolution in the state.

The House Committee on Commerce and Industry, led by its Chairman, Barrister Felix Afe, stated this during a visit to the State Ministry of Commerce and Industry in Akure.

The committee appreciated the Commissioner and his team for what they have been able to achieve, charging the ministry to continue to live up to expectations in the state.

Members acknowledged the significance of the ministry to the nation’s and the state’s economy, hence the need for all hands to be on deck to boost the commercial and industrial activities of the state.

While responding to the challenges of the ministry, members assured legislative backing and also advised the management to always update them and form a strong synergy with the committee.

The lawmakers equally reminded the ministry of the need to constantly collaborate with relevant stakeholders, effectively monitor the agencies under it, look inward, and utilise every potential for overall development.

Earlier, the Commissioner of the Ministry, Pastor Olusegun Ayerin, explained the activities, achievements, and challenges of the ministry to the committee, stating that the present administration has been doing its utmost to make the ministry what it ought to be.

He hinted that two new industries would soon be established in the state, affirming that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa would soon conduct the groundbreaking ceremony for a fishing hub in Ilaje and a palm oil refinery that would also crack and crush palm kernels into vegetable oil, to be sited in Okitipupa.

The Commissioner, who informed the committee that the ministry has been collaborating with the federal government and other relevant stakeholders, stressed the need for the state to again have a trade fair complex to attract various interventions that would further drive the sector.

Additionally, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Toyin Oni, promised that the ministry would continue to ensure that the people reap the dividends of good governance and effectively utilise the available resources to achieve the desired results.