With the proposed establishment of 20,000 hectares of rice farm to be sited in the Yewa axis, Ogun State, the Gateway State, is set emerge as Nigeria’s new rice production hub.

Governor of the state, Prince Dapo Abiodun disclosed this Wednesday, during the commissioning of the seven-kilometre Ibooro-Imasai- Ayetoro Road in Yewa North Local Government Area of the state.

The governor, who described Yewaland as the food basket of the state, noted that 20,000 hectares of land was needed for the rice project, which is expected to make Ogun State the rice capital of the country.

He said: “Yewaland is no doubt the food basket of this state and even the country. We are looking for 20,000 hectares of land to cultivate rice here. We will not put our money but there are investors who are ready to invest. All they need is land and I want to call on our Kabiyesis to come together and within two or three weeks, give land for this project.

“I have called the Head of Service, I have spoken to the Olu of Ilaro that he should challenge all our traditional rulers in this area. We are looking for about 20,000 hectares of land.

“We want to turn this part of Yewa into the rice capital of Nigeria. We already have the investors that have the resources to turn this place into the rice development and rice processing centre in Nigeria and I am deeply committed to that as that will be one of the legacies of this administration.

“Help us to look for this land with two to three weeks, you will now see what we will do. Ogun State is not putting a dime into it; we will only be providing enabling environment for the investors to come and turn this place into the rice capital of Nigeria.”

Prince Abiodun also appealed to the people to continue supporting the Federal Government’s efforts at repositioning the economy of the nation, emphasising that though the subsidy removal has affected the people negatively, the government at the centre was making efforts to lessen the impact through palliatives.

While urging the people to take ownership of the newly reconstructed road, the state’s helmsman also appealed to traditional rulers to ensure peace in their respective domains to engendered more socio-economic development

In his welcome address, the Special Adviser to the governor on Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ade Adesanya, noted that the 21- kilometre road which was in bad shape, was divided into two phases with the first phase of seven kilometres already completed.

He said the reconstruction of the road which connects about 10 communities and provides access to public schools and hospitals, would bring succour and enhanced socio- economic and security to the people in the area.

Meanwhile, the Olu of Ilaro and paramount ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, in his remarks, lauded the governor for ensuring the even distribution of dividends of democracy to all parts of the state, adding that Yewaland has benefited from the inclusive policy of the present administration.