Ondo Assembly Renews Pledge to Drive Industrial Progress
By Elizabeth Oyeniwa
The committee gave the assurance during a working visit to First Maximum Point Oil Industry (FMPI), in Akure, where it commended the company’s contributions to job creation and industrial growth.
The visit, led by the Committee Chairman, Hon. Barrister Felix Afe, provided lawmakers the opportunity to assess the facility and address earlier concerns.
Hon. Afe expressed satisfaction with the company’s operations, stating that the situation on ground contradicted allegations of product misrepresentation earlier received by the House.
“We want to appreciate you, particularly for contributing to the workforce and employment”.
He encouraged the company to improve product monitoring and documentation to prevent adulteration by distributors.
“Some people can take one carton and turn it into ten. If anything goes wrong, the company is blamed. So ensure your products remain safe from factory to final consumers,” he cautioned.
Hon. Afe also reassured the management of FMPI of the Assembly’s readiness to intervene in challenges requiring government attention, including infrastructure and policy support.
Committee Member,Hon. Nelson Akinsuroju commended FMPI for providing employment for indigenes of the state but called for improved environmental sanitation, noting the health implications of handling consumable products.
Also speaking,a member Hon. Tope Agbulu described FMPI as one of the few thriving industries in Akure and applauded its impact. However, he expressed concern over the company’s bulk sales system, which limits visibility and brand projection.
“Because your products are not packaged with labels, many people do not even know this place exists. If customers adulterate or rebrand your products, it can affect your image,” he warned.
Agbulu, who chairs the House Committee on Sanitation urged management to improve its sanitary standards.
Earlier, the Chairman/Managing Director of FMPI, Alhaji Muftau Abolarinwa, welcomed the committee and outlined the company’s growth from a small palm kernel crushing operation in 2007 to a multiunit processing industry.
He explained that despite the company’s progress, shortages of raw materials, especially soya beans remain a major challenge.
“We have shortages of key inputs like soya beans. We buy from Osun, Edo, and other states because the supply here is not enough,” he noted.
Abolarinwa appealed to the government to intensify efforts to boost agricultural production in the state to support existing industries and attract new ones.
“We are blessed in Ondo State, but we need to tap the opportunities more,” he added.
The committee assured FMPI of continued legislative support to strengthen industrial development across the state.
COMMENTS