Ondo, DAWN  move to improve S/West economy

By Adekola Afolabi
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Determined to accelerate meaningful socioeconomic development of the South-West states, the Ondo state government is leaving no stone unturned to consolidate on the existing gains.

To this end, the state Ministry of Regional Integration and Special Duties in conjunction with DAWN Commission and DFID-PERL have organised a one-day grassroots sensitisation forum on South-West Regional Integration focusing on artisans and market men and women in the state.

Speaking at the sensitisation forum held in Akure, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Regional Integration and Special Duties, Engr. Oluwemimo Ogunsanmi, explained that the need for regional integration in the South-West Nigeria has become imperative because of the need to offer business environment that is sufficiently attractive to business in line with global practices.

According to him, the governments in the region have identified issues that impinged on the operations of business and hence, sought solutions to them.

Leaders of various groups across the state participated in the sensitisation programme. These include, barbers’ union, textile dealers, block moulders, electronics, shoes and bag sellers, plumbing ,carpentry, Adire makers, Association of stone dealers, road equipment technical association of Nigeria, book sellers, beads and jewelry makers, printers association, JDPC, association of still and movies camera engineers, Ondo state motorcycle mechanic association and several others.

He particularly applauded the governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, the Ministry’s Commissioner, Prof Bayonle Ademodi, the DAWN Commission and other partners for their unwavering commitment to the socioeconomic development of the region.

The Permanent Secretary who disclosed that the ministry had earlier taken some proactive steps to improve business operations in the region, which included, sending of memorandum of the governors of southwest states on critical homeland and security matters to be actualised by DAWN and stakeholders’ engagement on the ease of doing business in South-West organised by DAWN Commission in collaboration with DFID-PERL.

The Director, Regional Integration and Finance and Administration, Mr Olumide Asere, commended the Akeredolu led administration for its commitment to the development of small scale business in the state.

One of the representatives of the DAWN Commission, Gbemisola Olajuwon, who presented overview on South-West Regional Integration to the participants,  said the commission through the support of the relevant stakeholders would work to fast track meaningful socio-economic integration of the region.