Ogun State Government has said that its proposed Seaport would not only decongest the Apapa Port but also attract investors when completed.
The Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, who spoke through his Deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele in a dialogue with the Fujairah Terminals team led by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Engr. AbdulAziz Al Balooshi at the Governor's conference room, said the establishment of the Ports, became imperative because of the proximity to the State to Lagos.
She said that the choice of setting up an Inland Port at Itori, in Ewekoro Local Government Area of the State came to bare because of its closeness to two major cement factories, hinting that the State Government is working closely with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Shipper's Council to see how to turn the location into a multi-model facilities.
"The port is one of the legacy projects we are looking at in this administration to be able to do something that will impact the lives of our people, boost the economy of the area and improve the socio-economic prospect of the citizens of the state".
"Meanwhile, Olokola as a free trade zone was conceived in 2004 and licensed was issued in 2007, but for some reasons, the lofty plans created then has not seen the light of the day and we as government are interested in going back to revisit Olokola and make sure that we can do something that is worthwhile to us as Ogun State and to any investor that will come and work with us" he said.
He said that in order for the would-be investors not to encounter challenges, the the state government has set up a Public Private Partnership(PPP) bill to ensure that Investors know government stand and what it represents, adding that government is also going to set up an investment promotion agency which will be a one-stop-shop for investors into the state to be able to have under one roof, all information needed to have a successful investment in the State.
In his response, the Acting Chief Executive of Fujairah Terminals, Engr. Abdulaziz Al Balooshi stated that his organisation is impressed with the move by the Ogun State Government in putting a place a dry port in Ewekoro Local Government Area of the State, noting that having held series of meetings with experts, visits to various sites as well as seeing the reports on the possibilities of partnering with the State Government, he assured of his organisation's readiness at ensuring the success of the investment.
Earlier, delegates from related Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA) of government led by the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ade Akinsanya and his counterpart from the Ministry of Special Duties, Barr. Femi Ogunbanwo took the Fujairah Terminals Team on a tour of the proposed inland port at Itori in Ewekoro Local Government area of the State.
No comments:
Post a Comment