Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Thursday paid a working visit to the construction site of the state industrial park at Eiyenkorin in Asa Local Government Area, calling it a catalyst for development in the state.
The governor expressed happiness with the level of work done so far, and said the project would create job opportunities for people and enhance the economic and revenue base of the state.
He said a number of big firms have already indicated interest in the project.
“This is phase one of the industrial park. We are happy with the progress of work. Already, we have some investors who have indicated interest. Yesterday, a company came around for the prospect of building a CNG conversion plant to provide plant and gas for cars. BUA is also coming in as it already indicated interest in production here,” AbdulRazaq told reporters shortly after inspecting the facility.
“This is really a catalyst for development in the state. The key things are: economic expansion, job creation, and IGR drive. We are very optimistic that very soon, this place will be fully occupied. And that’s progress for Kwara.”
Asked when the project will be fully completed, he said the industrial park is a project that will keep expanding as industries and business interests site their businesses there and that the government will only provide the necessary infrastructure for it to thrive such as is being done with concrete road, drainage, electricity, and security network, among others.
“To simplify it, this first phase is 2 square kilometers and will extend eventually to 10 square kilometers. Part of it will be an export processing zone. So we are very optimistic that it is a big thing,” he said.
The governor then headed further down into Asa Local Government, where he inspected the Budo Egba and Otte township roads.
He then visited the Sugar Factory Film Studio, which is believed to be one of its kind in Nigeria and on the continent.
The expansive film studio will produce its first movie in the next few weeks, the governor said.
Excited with the quality of the facilities at the studio, the governor said Kwara is ready to cause an upset in the Nigerian creative industry.
“Welcome to Sugar Factory Film Studio. First production will start in two weeks. It is about creativity. It is about creating jobs and expanding the creative industries,” he added.
“This is one of its kind in Nigeria. Just wait and see in the next couple of months what will come out of here.
“To start with, there are very few studios (with the same standard as Kwara’s film studio) in the sub-region. Then, after the studio, we have world-class equipment here. We will continue to upgrade the equipment and expand the studios as well. But from what we have seen here, surely, there is nothing like this in Nigeria today.”
He was accompanied on the working visits by commissioner for works Abdulqowiyu Olododo and Abdulrazaq Jiddah.
Managing director, Sugar Factory Film Studio, Olagbenga Titiloye, said the studio will be the biggest in Africa, commending the vision and economic drive of the governor.
“Apart from being the biggest in Africa, if you look around, it is clearly a one-of-its-kind facility in Nigeria and Africa as well. His Excellency’s drive to create employment in the entertainment industry is yielding fruitful results,” he said.
“We are 100 percent prepared. You can see the sets and equipment that will be used to shoot the series that is going to DSTV.”
