Ilaje

Oluwa Glass Company Plc, Igbokoda. This industry made use of the abundance of high quality silica sand that could be found in various parts of the Local Government. The sand account not less than 75% of the raw materials for manufacturing glasses sheet and could be dug in large quantity in Agerige, Akata, Olopemeji, Araromi Sea-side, Zion Pepe, Ode Etikan, Igbokoda Zion, Aboto and Orereara. Only the one at Igbokoda for now solely feeds the Oluwa Glass Factory. Oluwa Glass Company can produce for both export and local consumption and the production should be a veritable source of inspiration to potential investors. Allied industries to the factory can also be established.

Crude oil, which is the major source of income in Nigeria, is found in Ilaje Local Government. There are oil wells and fields spread all over the Local Government Area both onshore and offshore, Oil Companies such as Shell, Chevron, Texaco Nigeria Ltd and Consolidated Oil, Express Petroleum and Gas Company, Atlas Oil Company, Allied Energy Oil Company, Cavendish Oil Company, Esso-Mobil were at a time already operating in the Local Government Area.

However, crude oil was first discovered at Araromi Sea-side in 1908 and later at Ogogoro in 1952 even before it was discovered in River State in 1956. recently, the disputed on shore Oil wells formerly credited to Delta state have just been returned to Ondo State. They are as follows: Opuekepa, Omuro, Ojumole, Malu, Eko, Parabe, Minna, Bella, Obe, Esan, Ewa, Opolo, Opuama and Isekelwu oil fields.

Bitumen which will soon become the second world mineral resources after Crude Oil is found in large quantity in Ilaje Local Government Area e.g. Mahintedo, Igbo egunrin, Igbobi, Agerige, Araromi Sea-Side host of other communities. However, the proposed seaport and exchange zone to be cited at Araromi Sea-Side will serve as a means of exporting the product and its products to other parts of the world.

The foremost role played by this Local Government in national fish production has motivated the Federal Government to establish the Multi Million naira Terminal at Igbokoda, bearing in mind the abundant local experience, labour supply direct access to the sea proposed entrance for big fishing vessels, creeks and rivers, the fishing industry remains attractive to willing investors, it has been designed mainly for large scale fishing, but subsistence fishermen equally find it useful for storage purposes.

Apart from the Boat yard at Igbokoda, the first Dockyard was at Ayetoro and later Orike Iwamimo, Olotu kuwo. A few other towns engage in boat building and essentially through cooperative efforts. The need for the supply of more boats since about 75% of the Local Government is Riverine. There is also need for improved technology in the business of boat building in order to boast productivity. This is a vacuum that could be filled by potential investors.

Oil-producing mill

There is large oil palm estate maintained in Ilaje Local Government Area. Besides the wide spread of lands which abound in Mahin, Araromi, Ilumeje and Aheri Area of the Local Government is suitable for the existing oil mills and palm plantation and the fruits can be sourced from the estates.

Ogogoro/alcohol distillery and palm wine tapping

The business dots all parts of the Local Government because of the availability of palm tree. However, improved mechanized distillery to boost large scale production on industrial alcohol is attainable. This orders a challenge to the world of investors.

Mat-weaving industry

The raw materials for this are also sourced locally. Raffia Palms form the basis of the mat weaving, in the entire Local Government but the current level of mat making can be increased through the introduction of modern implements or method of mat making.

Raw materials

1. Water Hyacinth, available in large quantity and uses for production of fertilizer, insecticide, mosquito coils etc., 2. Livestock, Cuc, SWillC, Chicks it! Incat 3. Palm fruit for producing such as: a. Palm fruit for producing red oil b. Rafia palm for building bag weaving etc. c. Palm kernel and nuts for producing pomade soap. d. Palm wine for consumption; coconut oil fibre, products e. Log trees for making planks, long fibre pulp for Newsprints and paper production. f. Other farm produce include cassava, rice plantation, maize Okro, pawpaw, cashew, vegetable all of which have domestic and industrial purpose. g. Animal husbandry is possible all year round because of the perennial presence of green grass for grazing in every part of the Local Government.

Major occupation

Fishing is the major occupation of the Ilajes. This is enhanced by about 75% of the area being Riverine and easy access to the sea. This large scale fishing attracts traders and consumers from the nooks and crannies of the country. Of course, the largest fish market in Nigeria is situated in Igbokoda, the Headquarters of the Local Government. While timber portions of the timbers are essentially transported to Lagos for sales by means of the sea/water.

Ilaje Local Government is a national tourist attraction with a shore line of about 180 km in Nigeria.

Numerous developments in water transportation and house construction on partially or completely flooded areas are also veritable tourist attraction. Lekki Peninsula in Lagos State to Ilaje Local Government along the Atlantic Coast is about 30kilometres when proposes coastal road from Lagos is completed. On road, Igbokoda to Lagos is less than three hours drive through part of Benin. Shagamu and later Lagos Ibadan expressways. It is possible to supervise business in Igbokoda while resident in Lagos. Visitors to the main beach of the Local Government Headquarters (Igbokoda) reveals a sculpture of a fisherman. Also present at the main beach are hundreds of decorated ferry boats as though preparing for a boat race frusta.

Numerous cultural/traditional activities and mementos abound in the Local Government Area. For instance the Ayelala Shrine, which exist at a river junction called “It a Ayelala”, is only a few kilometers from the Local Government Headquarters. Ayelala is a powerful and widely respected goddess because of its capacity and wizards caught up in the clutches of Ayelala are known to confess their sins in the open.