PRESS STATEMENT
ONDO’S 1.4 BILLION USD DEEP SEA PORT TO BE PPP-DRIVEN, AS FG GRANTS OPERATING LICENCE
*I have delivered on my ministerial mandate; I’m fulfilled – Adegoroye*
The federal government on Wednesday approved the establishment of a deep sea port in Ondo State.
The Federal Executive Council, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, gave the approval for the operating licence for the Port at the FEC meeting held at the State House in Abuja.
The development of the Ondo Multipurpose Port in Ilaje local government area of the State, will be driven by investors through Public Private Partnership (PPP), with a 50-year concession period.
The Memo for the approval was presented by the Federal Ministry of Transportation through the Minister of Transportation, Eng Muazu Jaji Sambo, following years of efforts by the Ondo state Government to establish a deep sea port, first at Olokola which failed to materialise since 2004.
The efforts were renewed by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN, CON upon his assumption of office as Governor in 2017 and became intensified upon the appointment of an indigene of Ondo state, Prince Ademola Adegoroye, as Minister of State in the Federal Ministry of Transportation in July 2022, just about 10 months ago .
Governor Akeredolu had submitted the proposal for the establishment of the Port to the federal government, with series of due diligence undertaken by both the State and federal governments.
Speaking on the development, the Minister of State for Transportation, Prince Ademola Adegoroye, expressed his excitement over the approval, saying he feels fulfilled that the port licence has become a reality.
Adegoroye said: “I was graciously appointed Minister by President Buhari about 10 months ago, precisely 6th July 2022. My Governor, elder brother and Leader, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, gave me one major task. He told me Ondo state was sending me to Abuja not to make money or facilitate contracts but simply to get the Federal government approve our Port and get the Port licence. On my own, I added the reconstruction Akure – Ado road to my task list.
“I feel fulfilled today that I have delivered on my mandate. God is good. I thank God and I appreciate Mr. President and members of the FEC and in particular, my colleague and Senior Minister in my Ministry, Muazu Jaji Sambo, for helping me achieve this feat. I am fulfilled!”
Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan,
Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Minister of State for Transportation
May 17, 2023
