The Senator representing Ondo South in the Senate, Nicholas Tofowomo, on Thursday, credited the approval of the Ondo State deep seaport by the Federal Government to the reward of a collective effort by stakeholders.
According to a statement by Pastor Akinrinlola Olumide, his Media Aide, Tofowomo, said, “my ministry started the job as a former commissioner for transport in Ondo State under the administration of Dr Segun Mimiko and I continued with it by proposing a legislative bill to establish the sea port as a Senator of the 9th assembly.
“The bill scaled through second reading on June 30, 2021, and also passed the test of public inquiry. This pleasant news is the reward of our collective efforts,” the Senator said.
The Ondo South Senator added that the approved deep sea port would play a big role in decongesting Lagos seaports.
“The port would decongest the congestion in Lagos and create employment for thousands of people and make clearing of goods faster. The coastal line would be developed and improve trade commerce and industry.”
“I thank God that our prayers have been answered. I appreciate the state government for the renewed effort and I also thank the federal government for heeding to our cry in Ondo South”, Tofowomo said.
Recall that the government of Ondo State broke the news yesterday that the federal government has approved the establishment of a deep seaport in the state.
The federal executive council (FEC) gave approval for the operating licence of the port, at a meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday in Abuja.
According to a statement by Olatunde Richard, chief press secretary to Akeredolu, a memo was presented by the ministry of transportation through Mu’azu Sambo, minister of transportation.
Richard added that the approval came after years of efforts by the “Ondo state government to establish a deep seaport — first at Olokola — which failed to materialise since 2004”.
The efforts were renewed by governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu upon his assumption of office as governor in 2017 and became intensified upon the appointment of an indigene of Ondo state, prince Ademola Adegoroye, as minister of state in the federal ministry of transportation in July 2022, just about 10 months ago,” the statement reads.
“Akeredolu had submitted the proposal for the establishment of the port to the federal government, with a series of due diligence undertaken by both the state and federal governments.”
The site of the proposed port in Ondo, which also has an industrial city with free trade zone status, is said to measure 2,771.2 hectares.
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