Ogun govt invests over N2.25b to boost aquaculture

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has disclosed that his administration has invested over N2.25 billion, with support from relevant partners, to promote aquaculture, towards ensuring food security, job creation, and sustainable livelihood.

Abiodun made this known during the official flag-off of Fish Harvest at Ijako-Ota in the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Council of the state, noting that his administration was reducing undue dependence on imports while positioning the state as a leader in inland aquaculture.
   
Represented by his Deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, the governor stated that the event was not just about harvesting fish, but about celebrating real cultivation and people-focused progress in the state, appreciating the World Bank and the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP) team for their continued support as well as commitment towards improving the livelihood of its citizenry.

“OGSTEP was developed to strengthen our economy through strategic investments in agriculture. In aquaculture alone, we have supported over 3,400 fish farmers across the state. Each farmer received 72 bags of high-quality feed, with the government subsidising 30 per cent of the cost. In total, more than 179,000 bags have been distributed, representing an investment of around N2.25 billion,” he noted.
   
He said that agriculture is a serious economic enterprise, stressing that his administration remains committed to scaling the cluster model across the state and continuing to provide access to finance, inputs, infrastructure, markets, and technology, all in a bid to make Ogun State the preferred destination for agribusiness in Nigeria.