FG says $1.3bn Ondo deep seaport ready next year

The federal government has promised that it would ensure that the proposed Ondo Deep Seaport would become operational before May 29, 2023.

The Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, who made this disclosure said the Federal Government would herald commencement of other processes at the port.

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Recall that the Ondo state governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu had promised that the proposed $1.3 billion multipurpose deep seaport in the state would create job opportunities for 20,000 people in the Ilaje coastal communities of the state.

The Minister, while playing host to the Ondo State Governor, commended the steps so far taken by the state government to prepare for the port declaration.

After listening to a technical presentation by the Consultants to the Ondo State Government, the Minister said once all the prerequisites established by the extant laws are met, the federal government will not hesitate to make Port Ondo Declaration, pursuant to Section 30 of the Ports Act.

Speaking further, the Minister said: “We want to see this port come to life before the end of this administration”, adding that having another deep-sea port will do a lot of good to the blue economy policy of the federal government.

The Minister stressed that there are only two deep sea ports 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 is a welcome development to the country at large.

Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, 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 Ondo in accordance with the federal government’s module of Public Private Partnership.

Also speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Transportation, Prince Ademola Adegoroye, said the Ondo State Government has made a compelling case for the port and thanked the transport minister, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, for his support.