By; ODEYEMI SAMUEL, Akure
The Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN with the assistance of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi has flagged -off the production of 1.5million Granite marbles and dimension stones at Afo Community in Ose Local Government Area of the state.
The project flag -off which was part of the activities marking the first year anniversary of Akeredolu’s administration attracted many dignitaries to the state along with Dr. Fayemi.
According to Fayemi, the state will relive the country from importing huge amount of Granite marbles for local construction factories and other consumers when completed.
Besides, the former governor of Ekiti state hinted that the State will soon begin production of asphats from Bitumen before the end of the year.
The minister also disclosed that 3.5 million meters of Granite marbles were imported into the country out of the 4million Granite marble consumed within the country annually.
With the 1.5million annual production in Ondo state, Fayemi said the project will save the county hard earned foreign exchange and create employment opportunities and substitute for import.
His words, “I want to thank Mr. Governor for the Flag-off of this project . The importance of solid mineral, particularly dimension stones in our country can not be over emphasized”.
“Every year in Nigeria, we consume about 4million square meters of granites marble in this country, out of which 4million that is consumed are utilized by our construction companies”, Fayemi said.
According to him, while half a million is produced locally, the country imports 3.5million meters of dimension stones from China, Italy, Spain and all other countries.
Fayemi said, “this is a much larger factory of great dimension the state which could save the country a large foreign reserves”.
Earlier, commercial activities in the ancient town of Ikare Akoko were paralysed for several hours as the governor flagged – off the construction of major Ikare township roads.
The governor also commissioned the dangerous Oke Oka hill where several lives had been lost to the nature of the road.
Akeredolu also reopened the old Iyere /Ipele road which he promised will be completed and Commissioned in no distant time.
