Mimiko rekindles hope over Ondo produce export
Ondo state Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko has restated government’s desire to strengthen relationship with the European Union (EU) with a view to providing international market for the commodities produced in the State.
The Governor, while addressing a stakeholders meeting on Friday said government intended to take advantage of the state as an agriculturally endowed, adding that farmers in the state would be encouraged more with their produce exported to earn them more income.
He added that government would also synergise with the EU in the area of investment and technical know-how as Ondo State was blessed with abundant human and natural resources that had competitive advantage which could be exported to Europe.
The Governor had during a recent call on him by the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Mr Michel Arrion mentioned the government’s wish to partner with it in that direction.
He had lauded the European Union for its previous poverty alleviation programmes through MPP3, MPP6 and MPP9 in the country, stressing that his administration had embarked on over 600 micro projects across the state to impact on the masses.
He said “Our administration in the last six years had embarked on over 600 transformational micro projects that aimed at alleviating poverty, youth empowerment and income generation amongst others.”
He expressed government’s readiness to collaborate with the EU in the best interest of the people of the State.
Recall also that the Governor, penultimate weekend, said plans were almost concluded to ensure cocoa products in the State gained commodity pricing and value at the Stock Exchange Market.
Mimiko said group-farmers would get stock brokers and thus market their products in stock exchange, stressing that the goal of the present administration was to process and brand its cocoa in a globally acceptable way that will in turn produce chocolate that was internationally worthy, hygienic, nourishing and outstanding.
[ThisDay]