Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Federal Government has assured that once all the prerequisites established by the extant laws are met, she will not hesitate to make Port Ondo declaration, pursuant to Section 30 of the Ports Act.
To this end, the Federal Government says having many seaports in the country was a positive thing, as the presence of the Atlantic Ocean, the Rivers Niger and Benue puts the country on a better pedestal to harness, explore and export its rich minerals to other countries.
The Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo when he received the Governor of Ondo State, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, commended the steps so far taken by the state government to prepare for the port declaration.
Sambo assured that the Federal Government will in no distant time make a ‘Port Declaration’ of the proposed Ondo Deep Sea Port to herald commencement of other processes at the port.
The Minister explained that there are only two deep seaports in Nigeria, while all others are river ports, including Apapa and Tin-Can ports, adding that the development of the Deep-Sea Port in Ondo was a welcome development to the country.
“We want to see this port come to life before the end of this administration. Having another deep seaport will do a lot of good to the blue economy policy of the federal government.”
Earlier, Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN, said the reason for the visit was to acquaint the Transport Ministry with the vision of the State Government on the development of deep seaport in Ilaje area of the state in accordance with the federal government’s module of Public Private Partnership.
Akeredolu, who said the port will bring enormous socio-economic benefits to the Federal Government, the State and the host communities, added that Dubai Port, China Habour were among the many international partners who have signalled their interest in developing the port.
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Transportation, Prince Ademola Adegoroye, assured the Ondo governor that the Transport Ministry will attach priority to the project as he would like to see the port come to life before the end of tenure as Minister.
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