•Appeals for adequate compensation for affected communities
RESIDENTS of Ode Omi, a riverine community in Ogun State, have commended President Bola Tinubu, for the Federal Government’s support for the Gateway Deep Sea Port in Ogun Waterside projects.
The residents also expressed support for the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for his efforts towards fast-tracking the project, describing it as a major infrastructure initiative with potential to boost socio-economic development in the area and the state.
A community leader in Ode Omi, Prince Adedayo Aderemi Ajose, made the commendation in a statement.
Ajose said the deep seaport would transform the economic landscape of the South-West and help decongest the Lagos seaports by providing an alternative maritime gateway for cargo movement.
He, however, urged the authorities and project developers to ensure that residents of the area benefit directly from it, particularly through employment and other opportunities that would arise during its construction and operation.
The community leader also called for adequate compensation for residents, whose properties would be affected by the development, stressing the need for a fair and transparent process.
The call followed the signing of a Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between the 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 create over 50,000 direct jobs.
The signing brought together the Federal Government, the state government, DP World, financial advisers, and other private-sector partners in an investment framework aimed at easing trade bottlenecks, strengthening logistics and expanding Nigeria’s manufacturing and export capacity.
The Gateway deep sea port, will feature a four-kilometre berth and an 18-metre draft, enabling it to handle larger vessels while helping to decongest the Lagos port corridor and reduce costs and delays for importers and exporters.
President Tinubu, who witnessed the signing 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.
Earlier, Governor Abiodun credited President Tinubu with providing the political leadership that revived the long-standing vision for a deep seaport along the Ogun coastline, noting that the project had remained largely unrealised for more than three decades.