A former Federal Lawmaker and business tycoon, Chief Ladi Adebutu has urged Ogun State Government to allocate money and lands to investors to build a business city around the railway lines that cut across Laderin area of Abeokuta, the state capital.
Adebutu, who represented Remo North Federal Constituency in the 8th National Assembly between 2015 to 2019, said that it had become imperative for the Governor Dapo Abiodun-led administration to bring in investors, including himself and give them money and lands to turn the railway area to a business city.
He spoke at a Symposium commemorating his installation as the Lisa Aje Egba, by the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, HRM Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, held at Park Inn Hotel, Abeokuta.
Prof Pat Utomi was the Guest Speaker at the event.
The ex-member of the House of Representatives advised the federal and the state governments not to mortgage the future of the young ones by borrowing money to finance projects, calling on the state government to grant money and lands to local investors to build a business city around the lines.
According to him, if such dreams come true it will attract foreign investors to establish their investments round the railway, which in turn will improve the state’s Internally Generated Revenue, create wealth for the people of the state and generate employment opportunities for the youth.
Adebutu, while speaking in company with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja l l, said that as the new Lisa Aje Egba, the business city, if constructed, should be named Alake Business City, saying that it would bring wealth and prosperity to the people and develop the state.
“Why should we go and mortgage our children’s future by borrowing money. There is a rail road being built; unfortunately we borrow money, passing through our state. We will beg this government to give us money and develop that land; we are going to build commercial city around that area to create prosperity. Let it be known we are building Alake city. There shall be peace in the time of this Aje,” he said.
He mentioned notable investments located in the state, including Nestle Nigeria Limited, Memmcol in Orimerunmu, Coleman Cables in Sagamu and Arepo as well as Dangote and Larfage Cement factories, both in Ibese and Ewokoro, saying it is good to have such business city in a state where these companies operate.