The Federal Government’s drive to position Nigeria as a leading maritime hub has received a major boost following the formal handover of a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for 90 hectares of land by the Oyo State Government for the establishment of the Moniya Inland Dry Port.
By Chimezie Godfrey
The Federal Government’s drive to position Nigeria as a leading maritime hub has received a major boost following the formal handover of a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) for 90 hectares of land by the Oyo State Government for the establishment of the Moniya Inland Dry Port.
Receiving the documents on behalf of the Federal Government, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Olufemi Oloruntola, commended the Oyo State Government for what he described as a “clear demonstration of partnership and shared vision” between both tiers of government in advancing economic development through modern trade infrastructure.
Oloruntola, who represented the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, lauded Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration for its patriotic commitment to the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He noted that the Moniya Inland Dry Port would serve as a strategic national project designed to bring shipping services closer to importers and exporters, while stimulating industrial and agricultural growth across the South-West region.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Dr. Pius Akutah, represented by the Director, Inland Transport Services, Ahmadu Garta, applauded the Oyo State Government’s collaboration with the Federal Government. He emphasized that the dry port project is central to enhancing national trade logistics, stressing that “Dry Ports remain an integral component of modern trade facilitation and logistics efficiency.”
In his remarks, the Oyo State Deputy Governor, Abdul-Raheem Lawal, who presented the C of O, reaffirmed the State Government’s full commitment to the success of the project.
“We are committed to seeing this project through, but we also implore the Ministry and the Council to ensure this project is delivered in time for the maximum benefit of the people of Oyo State and its environs,” Lawal stated.
The event also featured a joint inspection of the proposed project site by officials from the Oyo State Government, the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council.
The 90-hectare site’s strategic location is further enhanced by its proximity to the Obafemi Awolowo Train Station, which supports daily freight and passenger services between Lagos (Apapa and Ebute Metta Stations) and Moniya, Ibadan.
It will be recalled that the Ogun State Government recently handed over 130 hectares of land to the Federal Government for the development of the Ijebu-Ode Inland Dry Port, in furtherance of the national blueprint to decentralize maritime infrastructure and promote regional trade integration.