The Federal Government, Tuesday, expressed its readiness to commence the construction of an international gem stone market in Ibadan, upon allocation of a 2 hectare of land by the Oyo State Government for the project.
The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc Olamilekan Adegbete, disclosed this in Ibadan, at the Akinyele Local Government, during an official hand over ceremony of the allocated land by the Oyo State government.
The minister, who explained that the project was part of initiative of the Federal Government to facilitate its economic recovery plans across the nation due to consequences of COVID-19 pandemic on the country’s economy, stressing that the international gem stone market would not only boost the state’s economy, but would also encourage foreign investment and impact on the Southwest region.
Arc. Adegbete equally expressed hope that with other things being equal, the project would be completed this year, 2021.
In their seperate remarks, the Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Seun Ashamu and the Chairman of Oyo State Solid Mineral Development Agency, Mr Abiodun Oni, unanimously noted that the project complements the diversification plans of Governor Makinde’s administration and would surely boost the state’s IGR.
In the same vein, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Tpl, Ademola Ajibola, in his response, assured issues of compensation as it concerns the 2 hectares of allocated lands, have been duly settled.
