Ogun signs MoU with Morocco on education, infrastructure, others

The Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with the Confederation of General Employers of Morocco, CGEM, to collaborate on power generation and distribution, education, housing, infrastructure, and port development.

Abiodun signed on behalf of the state, while Mr Ali Zerouali signed for the Moroccan side.

Speaking at the event held at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, on Wednesday, Abiodun noted that Morocco has achieved significant success in education, technology, manufacturing, agriculture, and various other sectors, from which Ogun State would benefit.

According to the governor, Morocco offers a 30 per cent subsidy as an incentive for investors and has signed 60 trade agreements with different countries across the world, in addition to becoming a leader in solar energy.

He stated that the country has transitioned from importing to exporting electric vehicles to Europe and now manufactures parts for aircraft producers.

The success story of Morocco, the governor emphasised, would be replicated in Nigeria with the arrival of the Confederation of General Employers of Morocco to establish operations in Ogun State.

He said: “We hope that in our partnership we can unlock all the potential and maximise it. We want to learn from you how you perfected hydro, solar, and gas energy, presenting the right mix that, of course, brings down the cost of energy.

“We identified agriculture, agribusiness, and agricultural technology, in which you are very advanced. Morocco today is the largest producer of fertiliser on the continent and one of the biggest exporters of fertiliser. I recall that you were informed of the plan to establish a massive fertiliser plant in Nigeria. We hope that we can bring that plant to Ogun State.

“Being an industrial state, we discussed manufacturing and industrial development, in which you've excelled. How do we partner? How do we learn from you so we are not starting from scratch? How do we develop technology together? How do we collaborate with companies in Morocco to bring the automobile industry to Ogun State, where we know that from here, you can easily ship vehicles to all other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa?”

He added that the state has a Special Economic Zone at the Gateway International Airport, which would serve as a Free Trade Zone, highlighting the importance of partnering to transfer technology and collaborating to bring manufacturing and agricultural companies to the state.

Abiodun noted that the state has a scheme called the “Light Up Ogun Project,” which requires about 6,000 to 7,000 megawatts to power the numerous industries operating in the state.

He stated that his administration was ready to partner with the Moroccans in technical and vocational education by further strengthening the existing technical colleges to train Nigerian graduates and drive an economic revolution similar to that witnessed in Morocco.

On infrastructure, the state helmsman stressed the need for the extension of the Blue Line from Lagos to Ogun State, noting that the state had obtained approval to do so.

Governor Abiodun also informed his guests of his administration's plan to build more houses for citizens and transform towns in the state into smart cities. He added that despite the 5,000 houses already built by his administration, there is still much to do, hence the need for partnership in the housing sector.

Speaking earlier, Mr Zerouali stated that his organisation was ready to partner with the state in the automobile and agro-food industries, as well as the education sector, with the belief that such collaboration would strengthen the cordial relationship and friendship between the two countries while enhancing economic ties.