The Special Adviser to the Oyo State Governor on Solid Minerals, Hon Mathew Oyedokun has said that the Oyo State Government led by Abiola Ajimobi is working tremendously to ensure that the state is economically self-reliant.

Hon Oyedokun made this known in Ibadan on Friday, during an exclusive interview with CEOAfrica on the organisation’s online Television programme, ‘Community Today’.

Speaking on the efforts of Governor Ajimobi in the development of minerals in Oyo State, Oyedokun said “Oyo is blessed with a lot of minerals. The state government has set up the Pace Setter Mineral Development Company to make Oyo participate in mineral exploration and we are able to have access to 24 minerals including gold, talc and many others.”

While noting that solid minerals is capital intensive with a long gestating period, Oyedokun, who is a trained geologist, further explained that Ajimobi has resuscitated ‘Igebti Marble, a marble mining company by inaugurating a new board – which he (Oyedokun) is a member of – to review the technical management partners of the company, adding that this move is certain to re-position the state’s revenue generation.

Oyedokun further explained that the number of quarries in Oyo state has been doubled and mining activities have intensified which has made the state qualify for 13 per cent derivation of revenue from the Federal Government.

Speaking on Ajimobi’s effort in the Agricultural sector, Oyedokun said “Ajimobi has done a lot in Agriculture. Among other things, he has mandated every Local Government to have and cultivate several hectares of farm.”

He further noted that the state government is ready to empower any individual or corporate body interested in venturing into agriculture by providing about 300 hectares of land for such persons.