..Gov. Akeredolu signs 6 MOUs/Agreements with Línyí, China
By : Mayowa Michael Adeleye
The Executive Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) on Sunday June 10, 2018 met Mr Zhang Shuping (张术平), the Mayor of Línyí in the south of Shandong province in China in the presence of over 90 investors and other government delegations from Nigeria and China.
A letter of intent was also signed for Ondo State, Nigeria and Línyí, Shandong, China to establish sister-cities relations.
Zhang Shuping expressed a warm welcome to Ondo State delegation. He said that Línyí being the largest prefecture-level city in Shandong, both by area and population is a well-known historic and cultural city and one of the top tourist destinations in China.
Linyi’s economy is based around its wholesale markets. The Linyi Wholesale City is ranked 3rd in its category in China with an annual trade volume of 40 billion RMB (~US$5 billion). The Linyi prefecture has developed more than 1,500 specialized villages, over 80 specialized towns and nearly 800 industrialized agricultural enterprises.
In 2014, Linyi’s economy GDP was 369 billion RMB with its main industrial products are: textiles, foodstuffs, machinery, electronics, chemicals, building materials, coal, medicines, gold and porcelain. Machinery is exported to Europe, the Americas and south-east Asia. Linyi prefecture has an annual capacity of 3 million tons of compound fertilizers.
He also said that Kunming will continue consolidate relations and friendship between the two cities, promoting development and cooperation in the economy, culture, education, technology, tourism, and etc.
In his remarks, Governor Akeredolu said that Linyi Wholesale City is impressive. He is also hoping to strengthen ties and cooperation between the Ondo State, Nigeria and Línyí, Shandong, China, especially natural resources exploration, agriculture and industrialization.
After meeting, a letter of intent was signed for the Ondo, Nigeria and Linyi, China to establish twin-sister relationships.
Furthermore, Ondo State of Nigeria Government signed and sealed Six (6) MOU agreements with Linyi, China which include:
1. Bitumen mining and exploration
2. Establishment of a paper mill in Ondo State
3. Establishment of Cassava to Ethanol factory in Ondo State
4. Establishment of Diary Industry in Ondo State
5. Establishment of Cement Factory in Ondo State.
6. Establishment of Ondo-Linyi Industrial Park (OLIP) in Ondo State
With the execution of the twin-sister agreement, Ondo state becomes the first Nigeria state to have twin relationship with any city in People’s Republic of China.
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) of Ondo state, said that his administration is ready to partner both local and foreign investors in the area of mineral resources exploration, agriculture and industrialization of the state.
The governor emphasized that his trip to China is part of his continued efforts at wooing investors to the state. In line with the vision of his administration in creating jobs for the youths of the state, Ondo State Government is talking to foreign investors to come and co-invest with the state government in building industrial and agricultural parks in the state.
Governor Akeredolu was accompanied to China by the CEO of Ondo State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA), Mr. Boye Oyewumi, the CEO of Klick Konnect Network International Ltd, Chief Alexander Ajipe and a team of entourage.
Ondo State produces 12% of Nigeria’s Oil & Gas output. Other mineral resources found in the state are; Quart sand, Clay, Granite, Limestone, Talc, Kaolin, Coal, Columbine, Rock, Tin, River, Mineral deposits, Bitumen which is the 2nd largest in the world, Ocean fronts and the largest Coastline in Nigeria.. It is abundant in mineral resources and tourism.
(Editor: Mayowa Michael Adeleye)