The Ogun State government has entered into a landmark partnership with the Confederation of General Employers of Morocco (CGEM) to enhance collaboration in key sectors, including power generation, education, housing, infrastructure, and port development.
Governor Dapo Abiodun formalized the agreement on behalf of Ogun State, while Mr. Ali Zerouali represented the Moroccan business body at a signing ceremony held at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Abiodun described Morocco as a model of industrial and technological advancement, emphasizing that Ogun State stands to benefit immensely from its expertise.
“Morocco has demonstrated remarkable success in education, manufacturing, agriculture, and renewable energy. Our collaboration will provide a platform for technology transfer, industrial growth, and improved energy solutions,” he stated.
Highlighting Morocco’s strides in renewable energy, Abiodun noted that the North African country leads in solar power and offers a 30% investment subsidy to attract foreign investors.
“Morocco has successfully transitioned from an energy importer to an exporter, and we are eager to replicate such progress in Ogun State. We want to learn from your hydro, solar, and gas energy models to reduce our energy costs and boost industrial development,” he added.
The governor also underscored Ogun State’s ambition to become a hub for automobile and aerospace manufacturing.
“Your country is already exporting electric vehicles to Europe and producing aircraft parts. We want to explore opportunities to bring these industries to Ogun, ensuring that we do not start from scratch but build on tested and successful models,” he said.
On infrastructure, Abiodun reiterated the state’s commitment to extending the Lagos Blue Line rail into Ogun State, leveraging its recently approved port project at Olokola.
“Ogun State has been designated for a deep-sea port project, and we are keen on making it a reality. Even if we begin with a temporary berth port, we are determined to develop this critical infrastructure,” he said.
Discussing the state’s energy needs, the governor revealed that Ogun’s industries require between 6,000 to 7,000 megawatts of electricity, stressing the need for collaboration.
“We are facing challenges in generation, distribution, and transmission, but we know that Morocco has overcome similar hurdles. We are looking forward to a partnership that will help us achieve uninterrupted power supply under our ‘Light Up Ogun Project,'” he said.
In the area of education, Abiodun expressed interest in strengthening the state’s technical and vocational education system, stating,
“We want to equip our young graduates with hands-on skills that can drive economic transformation, just as Morocco has done.”
The governor also emphasized the urgent need for more housing projects, despite his administration’s success in delivering 5,000 housing units.
“We want to transform our urban areas into smart cities, and we recognize the importance of partnerships in achieving this goal,” he noted.
Speaking on behalf of Morocco, Mr. Zerouali affirmed CGEM’s commitment to investing in Ogun State across multiple sectors, particularly in automobile manufacturing, agribusiness, and education.
“We see immense potential in Ogun State, and we believe our collaboration will strengthen ties between our nations while fostering economic growth,” he stated.
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