Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, announced on Tuesday that his administration has successfully completed the formalities for the allocation of approximately 100 hectares of land in Ode-Omi, located within the Ogun Waterside Local Government Area.
The land will be used to establish a Naval Base and Dockyard for the Nigerian Navy.
In a bid to support the project, Governor Abiodun revealed that the state government has waived all associated fees and charges, which total several billion naira.
Additionally, the Certificate of Occupancy has already been forwarded to the Nigerian Navy’s headquarters.
The Governor made the announcement during a meeting with the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Mike Oamen, at his Oke-Mosan office in Abeokuta. This development marks a significant step towards enhancing the country’s maritime security and strengthening the partnership between Ogun State and the Nigerian Navy.
He said: “In view of the prospective activities that we are envisaging in our riverine areas, the former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, gladly obliged us and accepted that it is important for us to have a naval base and a dockyard in Ogun State.
“We proceeded to make different positions available, and at that time, a committee was set up between members of the Nigerian Navy and the state government to identify locations that would be acceptable to the Nigerian Navy.
“Subsequently, a location was identified in Ogun Waterside, and we allocated a parcel of land, 100 hectares, for the purpose of setting up this facility.
“We have since completed the formalities of allocating the parcel of land to the Nigerian Navy.
“We have waived all fees and charges, which amounted to several billions, and have since forwarded the Certificate of Occupancy for that parcel of land to the Naval headquarters.”
Governor Dapo Abiodun revealed that the access road to the newly allocated Naval Base and Dockyard in Ogun State will be completed by the end of the week.
Speaking further, the Governor expressed excitement about the upcoming groundbreaking ceremony for the facility. He emphasised the importance of establishing a Naval presence in the state, highlighting that it would help safeguard the area against criminal activities and ensure the protection of the region’s anticipated economic benefits.
“The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure is here, and he has briefed me that sometime by the end of this week, on or before, the access road to Ode-Omi, which is where the site for the Naval Base and Dockyard is located, will be ready, and the site itself will be prepared for groundbreaking.
“We did not make as much progress as we anticipated because of the rains; however, since the rain stopped, we have begun to work on the access to the place and also the site itself,” he said.
Governor Dapo Abiodun reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening its relationship with the Nigerian Navy, emphasizing Ogun State’s strategic position as a coastal state.
With Tongeji Island in Ipokia Local Government and Olokola Deep Sea Port in Ogun Waterside Local Government, the state has a unique advantage in maritime and economic development.
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Abiodun pointed out that both Tongeji Island and Olokola Deep Sea Port hold particular significance due to their historical ties with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), which had previously issued oil prospecting licenses in these areas.
With growing prospects for Ogun to become an oil-producing state, the Governor noted that the recent declaration of Ogun as a frontier state by the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission, NNPCL, and the Ministry of Petroleum signals positive strides in the state’s oil and gas future.
In his remarks, Rear Admiral Mike Oamen, Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, lauded Governor Abiodun’s unwavering support for the Navy and other security agencies in the state.
He emphasized the importance of collaboration in securing Ogun’s maritime space and safeguarding its waterways from criminal activities. The Rear Admiral assured that the Navy would play a crucial role in maintaining security across the state’s coastal regions.
“The Governor of Ogun State has shown a deep commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of its residents. The Nigerian Navy is fully prepared to support these efforts,” Rear Admiral Oamen stated.
“The Naval Base is part of the Chief of Naval Staff’s strategic plan, and work will commence soon. The Navy will maintain a strong presence in Ogun State to protect its waterways and uphold security.”
