Ogun State government has secured approval for the establishment of an Inland Dry Port at Ijebu-Ode as part of the federal government’s strategic efforts to complement and decongest the Lagos Port system.
Sitting on 130 hectares of land along the Epe-Mojoda Expressway in Ijebu-Ode, the new Inland Dry Port will serve as a cargo consolidation and distribution hub for the Southwestern region, in addition to complementing the Kajola Inland Dry Port already secured for the state’s Central Industrial Cluster.
The Inland Dry Port project is projected to strengthen the Ogun Industrial Hub initiative, enhance its competitiveness in trade and logistics and increase the country’s national Gross Domestic Product (GDP), among other benefits.
A statement on Friday by Tayo Mabeweje, the senior special assistant on Media to the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, disclosed that the approval followed a request by the minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, who had previously requested the same from the governor.
Approval of the Port project came barely 3 weeks after the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) granted an interim aerodrome operational permit to the state’s Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport, Ilisan-Iperu Remo, to operate scheduled commercial flights at the airport in line with Part 12.15.17 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs).
Mabeweje disclosed that the approval was another milestone in the Governor Abiodun administration’s quest to deliver several national projects as enduring legacies as well as positioning the state “firmly on Nigeria’s aviation map and boosting its appeal as a destination for global trade, investment and tourism.
“The allocation, granted on an ex-gratia basis, reflects the governor’s unwavering commitment to supporting national infrastructure and creating enabling environments for trade and investment”.
He said the Ijebu-Ode Inland Dry Port and the Gateway International Airport “are critical enablers of industrialisation and regional competitiveness.
“Together, they will transform Ogun State into a logistics and economic powerhouse, creating prosperity for our people and opportunities for Nigeria at large.
“With the Kajola Inland Dry Port already secured for the Ogun Central Industrial Cluster and now the Ijebu-Ode Inland Dry Port for the Eastern corridor, Ogun State is strategically balancing industrial growth across its three Senatorial Districts, ensuring equity and sustainable development.
“These achievements stand as shining testaments to Governor Abiodun’s visionary leadership and his administration’s unrelenting drive to deliver modern infrastructure, attract investment, and unlock prosperity for all.”
