President Bola Tinubu has approved the commencement of commercial oil drilling at Tongeji Island in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Governor Dapo Abiodun disclosed this on Thursday while receiving the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha, and other senior naval officers during a courtesy visit to his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
The governor also announced that the President had given approval for the immediate take-off of the long-awaited Olokola Deep Seaport project in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area, describing the decision as a major breakthrough for the multibillion-dollar project that had stalled for years.
According to Abiodun, both projects are of particular interest to President Tinubu. He said the Olokola Deep Seaport would help decongest the Lagos ports, while commercial oil drilling at Tongeji Island would drive economic inclusion and empowerment for coastal communities.
“Mr President has approved the commencement of commercial oil drilling operations at Tongeji Island, and in the coming months, there will be significant activity in that area,” the governor said.
He added that the Olokola Deep Seaport, which had remained on the drawing board for several years, had now been revived through the President’s direct intervention. Abiodun revealed that several meetings had already been held on the project in recent weeks, with clear instructions from the President to ensure its realisation.
The governor said the President directed that construction of the port should be well advanced between now and next year, noting that the project would benefit from the ongoing coastal road, which would serve as an alternative logistics corridor. He disclosed that the new seaport would be named the Blue Marine Economic Zone.
Abiodun also commended the Nigerian Navy for establishing a Forward Operations Base at Tongeji Island, saying the move would strengthen border security and prevent infiltration from the neighbouring Republic of Benin. He noted that the state government was working to provide basic amenities for residents of the island to improve living conditions and support emerging economic activities.
The governor praised the Nigerian Navy for its role in maintaining peace and security in Ogun State, adding that effective collaboration among security agencies had contributed to the relative stability enjoyed in the state.
Describing Rear Admiral Mustapha as an experienced and accomplished officer, Abiodun expressed confidence that security would be further enhanced under his leadership.
Earlier, Rear Admiral Mustapha described Ogun State as strategic to Nigeria’s national security, revealing that the naval outpost at Tongeji Island would be upgraded to a Forward Operations Base due to the area’s oil potential. He said the visit was aimed at strengthening cooperation between the Nigerian Navy and the Ogun State Government, particularly in safeguarding Nigeria’s border with the Republic of Benin and preventing criminal activities.
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