L-R: Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Pius Akutah, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Olufemi Oloruntola, Ogun State Commissioner on Transportation, Engr. Gbenga Dairo and the Ogun State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Tunji Odunlami
By Victoria Onehi
To facilitate trade through the development of Inland Dry Ports across the nation, the Ogun state government has officially ceded130-hectares of land to the Federal Government.
With this development, the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy (FMM&BE) is set to develop an inland port terminal in Ijebu-Ode to facilitate trade and lessen the pressure on existing Western Ports.
The Permanent Secretary, FMM&BE, Olufemi Oloruntola, who signed the formal Transfer of Rights, Control and Possession on behalf of the Federal Government assured of the Federal Government’s commitment to completing the port in no distant time.
A statement by the Director Information and PR,Anastasia Ogbonna disclosed that when completed, the port will be officially named the “Ijebu-Ode Inland Dry Port.”
Representing the State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, the Ogun State Commissioner of Transportation, Engr. Gbenga Dairo, confirmed that the State provided land to the Federal Government, via the Ministry, to facilitate and enable the construction of an inland port terminal within the Ijebu-Ode economic cluster area.
Furthermore, he said the construction will improve intermodal transportation in the State and the Western Ports by extention.
The Director, Maritime Services, Dr. Mercy Ilori, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Pius Akutah alongside others from the Ministry and the National Inland Waterways witnessed the handover.
