FG mulls deep seaport in Ondo before the end of the year ― Akeredolu

GOVERNOR Rotimi Akeredolu, of Ondo state, has disclosed the Federal Government plans to build Deep Seaport in the coastal region of the state before the end of the year, saying this would help to decongest the gridlock on Lagos seaport.

Akeredolu who disclosed this during the presentation of the report of the consultants to the State Executive Council and stakeholders from the coastal communities said the state has concluded the feasibility study which is a step towards fulfilling the approval of the Deep Sea Port by the Nigeria Port Authority (NPA).

According to him, the consultant of the project had explained the viability of the project and expressed optimism that the proposed Deep Sea Port in the state would change the landscape of the state, while it would also create massive job opportunities when it takes off in the state.

According to him, the consultant to the Port in Ondo, the MTBS Netherlands, has looked market viability, the employment generation opportunities and the closeness to Lagos Port and concluded that the project is viable.

Akeredolu however, said the report presented by MD/CEO of MTBS Netherlands, Mr Chime Asonye would be presented to President Muhammadu Buhari through the NPA so as to get the proclamation of the president.

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His words, “We are doing things for the generation to come. I have always believed that there should be a beginning, we have started there is no going back. In the number of years, we will be here, we will pursue port of Ondo.

“I was privileged to travel with President 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. Not only that, the President has said it most of the times that he knows that Ondo is the right place for a deep Sea Port.”

He called on the stakeholders not to play politics with the Deep Sea Port, saying it is not the making of the state that it is where it is today.

Akeredolu said: “We should not play politics with everything. It’s not our making but providence has put us where we are today. Where we are today, near water, it’s the best place to have a deep sea port.

“Ours, as a state, is to prepare the ground and show the feasibility and bankability. Can Ondo State do it? No, Ondo State cannot build or own a port. But there are many people that are willing to invest.

“The Chinese, Dutch and whole others are interested because this will be West Africa port not just for the country. It’s not like we are looking for money to build a port but we are looking for investors and they will invest here.

“We will have the port declared before the end of this year. As from next week, we will move and get that declaration soon. This port of Ondo will change the landscape of Ondo totally. It will mark the beginning of the greatness of Ondo.”

Some stakeholders at the meeting held in the International Event Centre, the Dome included monarchs from the coastal communities, Stakeholders in oil and gas and members of Ondo Industrial City.