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| Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu |
Ondo State governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has
declared that the proposed Ondo Deep Seaport would mark a turning point for
generations to come.
declared that the proposed Ondo Deep Seaport would mark a turning point for
generations to come.
He said it would change the landscape and create massive job
opportunities for the people.
opportunities for the people.
Akeredolu stated this while receiving the feasibility study report on
the port at the community and stakeholders forum at the International Culture
and Events Centre, The Dome, in Akure.
the port at the community and stakeholders forum at the International Culture
and Events Centre, The Dome, in Akure.
Managing Director of MTBS Netherlands, Mr. Chime Asonye,
accompanied by the firm’s project leader, Mr. Willem Slenderbroek, presented
the feasibility report to the governor.
accompanied by the firm’s project leader, Mr. Willem Slenderbroek, presented
the feasibility report to the governor.
According to Akeredolu: “We are doing things for generation to
come. I have always believed that there should be a beginning, and as we have
started, there is no going back. In the number of years that we will be here,
the government would pursue the port.
come. I have always believed that there should be a beginning, and as we have
started, there is no going back. In the number of years that we will be here,
the government would pursue the port.
“I was privileged to travel with President Muhammadu Buhari to The
Netherlands. We went on a boat and visited the ports, immediately I told him,
if anything like this must happen in Nigeria, it must be in Ondo State.”
Netherlands. We went on a boat and visited the ports, immediately I told him,
if anything like this must happen in Nigeria, it must be in Ondo State.”
He added that besides that, the president had said it several
times that he knew that Ondo would be the right place for a Deep Sea port.
times that he knew that Ondo would be the right place for a Deep Sea port.
Akeredolu said: “We should not play politics with everything. It’s
not our making, but providence has put us where we are today, which is near
water, and the best place to have a Deep Sea Port,”
not our making, but providence has put us where we are today, which is near
water, and the best place to have a Deep Sea Port,”
He further explained that his administration’s dream for the port
is to serve as a conduit for goods from across Nigeria, and not only in Ondo
State.
is to serve as a conduit for goods from across Nigeria, and not only in Ondo
State.
The governor added that the state was only meant to prepare the
ground, and do the feasibility and bankability of the port for the Federal
Government.
ground, and do the feasibility and bankability of the port for the Federal
Government.
He explained that Ondo alone couldn’t build the port, adding that
there are many people who are willing to invest in it.
there are many people who are willing to invest in it.
He listed the prospective investors to include “the Chinese, Dutch
and others, because it would be a West Africa port, and not just for the
country.
and others, because it would be a West Africa port, and not just for the
country.
He promised that the port project would be declared before the end
of the year, noting that when completed, it will mark the beginning of
greatness for Ondo State.
of the year, noting that when completed, it will mark the beginning of
greatness for Ondo State.
Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Energy and Mineral
Resources, Femi Akarakiri, explained that the ‘Artificial Island Port-Single
Basin’ is considered technically feasible and attainable.
Resources, Femi Akarakiri, explained that the ‘Artificial Island Port-Single
Basin’ is considered technically feasible and attainable.
The Guardian.
