ABEOKUTA – The Egba Economic Summit has called on the Ogun State Government and stakeholders to resuscitate the Abeokuta City Centre project, citing its potential economic and security implications.
The group, led by its President Dr. Gbenga Adeoye, visited the site and noted the dilapidated state of the project, which houses key institutions such as Access Bank, GTBank, and shopping mall.
Dr. Adeoye said the City Centre, designed to be a hub for commerce and tourism, has been abandoned, posing security risks and wasting economic potential.
According to him, the area’s proximity to key government buildings and institutions makes its rehabilitation crucial.
The group pleaded with the government to resolve disputes surrounding creating impasse for the progress of the project.
Adeoye enjoined the government to engage stakeholders and traditional rulers in dialogue to prioritize the state’s economic and security interests of the city centre.
The group offers to collaborate with the government and stakeholders to find a lasting solution, emphasizing the importance of preserving the state’s assets and promoting economic growth.
Recall that the Abeokuta City Centre was envisioned as a major economic corridor, with prominent banks and institutions by Senator Ibikunle Amosun’s administration.
“In the design of Abeokuta City Centre, Access Bank and GTBank were meant to build their Regional Offices and GTBank Plc has fulfilled that promise with the most gigantic structure in the city centre. The place consist of shopping Malls and Amphi-Theatre if completed.
“Like GTB imposing Regional structure, the city Centre should consist of structures like Providus Bank standing in the opposite not far from OPIC round about.
“However, it appears no one is thinking about the economic impact of the dilapidated state of the project. Apart from that, it has security implications.
“Although there are issues around the purpose for which land was released for secretariat many years back and the need to carry original owner along if there is a change of use.
“Development of the City Centre as a project that can uplift the economy of Ogun State and the state Capital appears as a good public interest and can be made to override other personal desire and interest if proper dialogue is adopted in form of arbitration.
“Moreover, security and Economic well-being of Ogun State is more important than any other personal interest.
“In view of this, the Egba Economic Summit hereby plead with all stake holders and in deed, the government of Ogun State to find solution to the crisis and revive the project so that Abeokuta and in deed Ogun State can benefit from the Economic impact of that Centre.
“The summit is willing to play vital role in resolving the dispute in collaboration with all our major traditional Rulers in Ogun Central Senatorial District.
“The place is dirty and does not befit the area to have such around a regional bank, CBN and OPIC building. We must copy Lagos in ensuring no asset is allowed to waste away.”
