Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has clarified that the ongoing oil exploration activities in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area are being handled solely by the Federal Government through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, and not by the Ogun State Government.
Abiodun gave the clarification on Thursday while commissioning the Abeokuta Obalende Road and Osinubi New Road in Ijebu Ode, warning against attempts to stir division among residents of Tongegi Island and other parts of the state over the oil exploration process.
The governor said the state government has not embarked on any oil drilling exercise, stressing that the role of Ogun State is limited, as the project is under the authority of the Federal Government.
“I want to make it very clear that the oil exploration going on in Ogun Waterside is not being done by Ogun State Government. It is a Federal Government activity through the NNPCL,” Abiodun said.
He explained that hydrocarbon deposits have been identified in parts of Ogun Waterside, including Tongegi Island, but added that drilling is still ongoing to determine whether the discovery is in commercial quantity.
“After conducting preliminary tests, they informed me that oil had been discovered in Ogun State. However, drilling is necessary to confirm whether it exists in commercial quantity, and that process was approved by Mr. President,” the governor stated.
Abiodun dismissed claims that funds meant for oil exploration had been diverted, describing such allegations as false, misleading, and politically motivated.
“At no time did I say that commercial drilling had commenced at Tongegi Island. What we have are promising indications, not confirmation of commercial quantity,” he said.
The governor also disclosed that security around the drilling site has been strengthened to protect national assets, revealing that a Naval Base has already been established close to the oil well.
“In addition to that, a Naval post has been established at Tongegi Island, and approval has been granted by the Chief of Naval Staff for a Forward Operating Base to further secure the area,” he added.
Abiodun expressed concern over what he described as deliberate misrepresentation of his comments by some sections of the media, noting that such reports had fueled unnecessary tension.
Commending Tinubu, the governor said the planned revival of the Olokola Deep Sea Port would further boost Ogun State’s economic potential, adding that the President has directed that visible progress should be recorded on the project within the next year.
Speaking on infrastructure development, Abiodun reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to road construction across the state, noting that performance remains the government’s best response to criticism.
According to him, over 20 township roads have been reconstructed in Ijebu Ode alone. These include Awujale Road, Ijebu Ode Epe Mojoda Road, Molipa Fusigboye Road, Stadium Luba Gateway Annex Road, Imoru Road, Tam Balogun Road, Osinubi Road, among others, with several more currently under construction.
Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ade Akinsanya, said the completed roads were designed to improve connectivity, reduce travel time, and stimulate economic activities within the city.
Chairman of Ijebu Ode Local Government, Hon. Dare Alebiosu, said the improved road network has boosted commercial activities and restored public confidence in government.
Also speaking, the lawmaker representing Ijebu Ode, Ijebu North East and Odogbolu Federal Constituency, Barr. Femi Ogunbanwo, commended the governor for what he described as consistent investment in infrastructure across Ijebu land.
Market leaders, led by the Otun Akile Iyaloja of Ijebu Ode, Mrs. Kikelomo Olufunmi, said the roads would ease the movement of goods and improve trading activities.
Traditional rulers and community leaders present at the event praised the governor for delivering projects they described as timely and impactful for the socio economic development of the area.
