Dapo Abiodun, Governor of Ogun State, has praised Katchey Laboratory Complex for building and opening his laboratory station in Ogun.
Abiodun also stated that the company would serve to supplement the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, which Nigeria and other African countries signed in order to facilitate free trade across the continent.
The governor stated during the groundbreaking ceremony for the proposed Katchey Laboratory Complex, which will house manufacturing of laboratory equipment and consumables, as well as a training center for laboratory analysts and bio-engineers, that the country has been unable to tap into the free trade zone because the majority of the goods expected to be exported were not certified worthy of export.
He went on to say that with a laboratory like the one Katchey mentioned in the state, commodities destined for export would now be certified for the international market.
He went on to say that the citation of the laboratory in the state is further proof that his administration’s aim of creating an enabling environment for public-private partnerships is a reality.
Abiodun noted that the laboratory complex was a good development in the country’s health sector, especially at a time when the world was affected by COVID-19.
“COVID-19 made us understand how unprepared we were for a medical emergency,” he stated, “and it is my joy that this project will strengthen our health sector.”
While stating that there is no better place to cite the laboratory than Ogun, the country’s education capital, the governor stated that students from various schools in the state have continued to emerge first in the Science, Technology, Education, and Mathematics competition (STEM) and the global mathematics competition.
Abiodun stated that his government was looking forward to collaborating with the effort, particularly through the Olabisi, Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, and the School of Health Technology, and he encouraged other prospective investors to join him.
Mr. Abdulrazaq Isa, Chairman of Katchey Company Limited, stated in his remarks that the company, which has been in operation for the last three decades, has continued to promote the advancement of science in the country by equipping science laboratories with quality analytical instruments, chemicals, reagents and consumables.
Mrs. Kate Isa, Chief Executive Officer of Katchey Company Limited, who described the state as the most business-friendly in the country, called on government at all levels to examine the educational curriculum and the prospect of adding digital science.
In their remarks, Dr. Uche Ogah, Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development, and his counterpart in the Trade, Industry, and Investment, Niyi Adebayo, both commended the company’s initiative, which they said would promote self sufficiency in the country, and stated that the Federal Government would continue to do everything possible to end medical tourism.
The laboratory company which is set to be completed between 18 and 24 months, would be home to the manufacturing of laboratory equipment and consumables, with additional capacity for independent analytical laboratories, training center for Laboratory analysts and Bio-Engineers, conferencing and seminar facility, offices and warehouses
