NPA Commits to $1 Billion Ondo State Multipurpose Deep Seaport Project

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has pledged its unwavering commitment to leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that the $1 billion Ondo State Multipurpose Deep Seaport project is given all the necessary approvals required for its successful implementation. 

This was confirmed by the Managing Director of NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko, who made the assurance during a meeting with Boye Oyewumi, the Ondo State Coordinator for Special Projects. Oyewumi submitted the Full Business Case for the port, and Bello-Koko's reassurance signifies the NPA's dedication to providing the necessary support to the project, thus ensuring that it sees the light of day.

The NPA chief noted that the port, just like the recently commissioned Lekki Deep Seaport, would be funded through a public-private partnership model.

THE ONDO PORT AND WHAT THERE IS TO KNOW

The Ondo Port, although situated in the same region as Lagos State with operational ports, is aimed at serving regions in the Southwest that are located far from the coastal areas of Lagos but closer to Ondo. This means that the port will cater to a market that is currently underserved by existing ports.

Last year in November, the Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, expressed his confidence in the project and affirmed that the port would be of significant benefit to his state, which is landlocked. With the port's development, Ekiti State and other landlocked regions in the Southwest can have better access to the benefits of international trade, and this could result in an economic boost for the entire region.

Here’s what he said :

“A significant ratio of Nigeria’s imports and exports rely on the maritime sector. Ports are the epicenter of the blue economy, including transportation of humans and goods, exports, and imports.”

“Tourism and leisure, fishing, aquaculture, and more recent developments like offshore renewable energy, among others.”

“Thus, Ondo Port is expected to play a role of utmost importance and contribute significantly to the development of the economy of Ondo State and neighbouring states such as Ekiti.”

“Hence, the establishment of a seaport in Ondo State will be of immense benefit to Ekiti. The importance of the proposed port becomes even clearer when one considers the fact that Ekiti is a landlocked state.”

Furthermore, the Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, believes that the establishment of the port will not only benefit the people of Ekiti State but also improve the economics of production and distribution for businesses in both Ondo and Ekiti States. This, in turn, will positively impact the general well-being of the two states.

BELLO-KOKO’S STATEMENT 

To kickstart operations of the Ondo State Multipurpose Deep Seaport project through a public-private partnership, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello-Koko, assured that the NPA would collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Transportation and other relevant agencies to secure the necessary approvals.

“The NPA has consistently restated its readiness to provide requisite technical guidance for the establishment of new ports in line with global best practices.”

“In keeping with NPA’s commitment to creating an enabling atmosphere for the construction of more deep seaports, the Ondo State project will come to fruition,”  he said.