…commends President Tinubu, Gov. Dapo Abiodun
Residents of Ode Omi, a riverine community in Ogun State, have thrown their weight behind the development of the Gateway Deep Sea Port in Ogun Waterside, commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Dapo Abiodun for their roles in advancing the project.
The residents described the proposed deep seaport as a major economic project capable of transforming the fortunes of Ogun State, the South-West and Nigeria’s maritime sector.
However, while expressing their support for the project, the community appealed to the Federal and Ogun State governments, as well as the project developers, to ensure that affected residents receive adequate compensation for their properties.
A community leader in Ode Omi, Prince Adedayo Aderemi Ajose, made the call in a statement issued over the weekend in Ogun State.
Ajose commended President Tinubu for the Federal Government’s support for the project and praised Governor Abiodun for his efforts towards fast-tracking its development.
According to him, the Gateway Deep Sea Port would have far-reaching economic benefits, including easing pressure on existing ports in Lagos and providing an alternative maritime gateway for the movement of cargo.
He said the project would also create employment opportunities and stimulate economic activities in the host communities and across the region.
Ajose urged the authorities and project developers to ensure that the people of Ode Omi and other host communities were not left behind in the implementation of the project.
He particularly called for residents to be given priority in employment and other economic opportunities that would emerge during the construction and eventual operation of the port.
The community leader also stressed the importance of a fair, transparent and adequate compensation process for residents whose properties would be affected by the project.
His appeal followed the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between the Ogun State Government and DP World MEA FZE for the development of the Gateway Deep Sea Port and the Ogun State Blue Marine Special Economic Zone.
The agreements, signed in Paris, France, in the presence of President Tinubu, are expected to attract more than $7 billion in initial investment and generate over 50,000 direct jobs.
The investment framework brings together the Federal Government, Ogun State Government, DP World, financial advisers and other private-sector partners, with the objective of reducing trade bottlenecks, strengthening logistics and expanding Nigeria’s manufacturing and export capacity.
The Gateway Deep Sea Port, which is planned for Ogun Waterside, will have a four-kilometre berth and an 18-metre draft, allowing it to accommodate larger vessels.
The port is also expected to help decongest the Lagos port corridor while reducing transportation costs and delays for importers and exporters.
President Tinubu, who witnessed the signing ceremony alongside the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and the Director-General of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, commended Governor Abiodun for securing the land, structuring the investment framework and reducing project risks for investors.
Speaking earlier, Governor Abiodun described the agreement as a defining moment in the economic history of Ogun State and Nigeria’s relationship with the global economy.
He credited President Tinubu with providing the political leadership that helped revive the long-standing vision of establishing a deep seaport along the Ogun coastline, noting that the project had remained largely unrealised for more than three decades.
According to the governor, the deep seaport forms part of a broader strategy to expand trade, attract investments, improve connectivity and strengthen Nigeria’s maritime economy.
Ajose reiterated the community’s support for initiatives capable of accelerating development in the area, but urged the authorities to make the welfare and interests of the host communities a priority throughout the implementation of the project.
Governor Abiodun led the Ogun State Government delegation to the signing ceremony. Members of the delegation included the Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi; the Commissioners for Finance, Works, Industry, Trade and Investment, and Transport; a representative of Ogun Waterside Local Government; and a representative of the host community, Chief Babatunde Oluwasina Ogunbajo (Bale Oke Eso).
