Senator Solomon Adeola, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Ogun State, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Dapo Abiodun over the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development of the proposed Gateway Deep Seaport and Ogun State Blue Marine Special Economic Zone.
The projects, according to a statement signed by Chief Kayode Odunaro, Media Adviser to Senator Adeola and Chairman, Media and Publicity Committee of the Ogun State APC Campaign Council, are expected to attract more than $7 billion in initial investment and create over 50,000 direct jobs when fully developed. The MoUs were signed between the Ogun State Government and DP World MEA FZE in Paris, France.
Adeola said the investment deal would transform the economic fortunes of Ogun State by expanding the state’s capacity for maritime trade, boosting manufacturing and exports, and easing pressure on the Lagos port corridor.
He commended the vision behind the projects, describing the proposed developments as significant steps towards expanding Ogun’s blue economy and strengthening its position as an investment and industrial hub.
According to him, the development also reflects the economic objectives of the Tinubu administration, particularly its emphasis on infrastructure, industrialisation, investment and job creation.
“I want to commend our President for always looking beyond the ordinary to initiate beneficial projects that will greatly impact positively on the future of our nation,” Adeola said.
He cited the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and the Badagry-Sokoto Road, both of which have sections connecting Ogun State, as examples of projects he said would have long-term economic benefits for the state.
Adeola also commended Governor Abiodun for creating what he described as the necessary conditions for attracting the latest investment to Ogun State.
The proposed Gateway Deep Seaport, to be located in Ogun Waterside, is planned to have a four-kilometre berth and an 18-metre draft, while the Blue Marine Special Economic Zone is proposed to cover about 10,000 hectares. The Federal Government said the projects are intended to strengthen maritime trade, manufacturing, logistics and export capacity.
Adeola, who promised continuity in the development programmes of the present administration if elected governor, said his administration would sustain projects beneficial to the people of Ogun State.
He also pledged to work with the Federal Government to facilitate the completion of major projects across the state, stressing the need to maximise Ogun’s geographical and economic advantages.
“We look forward to harnessing all the advantages and resources of Ogun State for the benefit of our people from our unique position as not only the gateway to Nigeria but to a greater part of the West Africa subregion,” he said.
