Date Published: 10/11/10
Ondo Deep Sea Port takes off soon, Mimiko
Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko has reiterated his
administration’s commitment towards ensuring the reality of the long
anticipated Deep Sea Port in the state within the shortest time.
Governor Mimiko who gave this assurance in his office on Monday while
playing host to the Chairman and members of the Nigerian Ports
Consultative Council (NPCC) who are in the state for a maritime summit
submitted that the state was endowed with the longest coastline in the
country and West Africa. This, according to him, ought to have been
put into maximum use in the interest of the country and the State. He
assured that his government would partner with the NPCC to develop the
State’s abundant maritime potential in the State with a view to
boosting its economy.
Specifically, the Governor who regretted that many stakeholders in the
maritime industry had failed in the past to key into the vast
opportunities available along the state’s coastline assured the time
has come for a new dawn in the industry in the state.
The 2010 Maritime Summit with the theme: “Harnessing Maritime
Development Opportunities in Ondo State” holding between Tuesday and
Thursday this week in Akure, the State capital, Governor Mimiko
expressed optimism that this would serve as a catalyst to jump start
the actualization of the deep sea port that would also make the state
a reference point in maritime industry in the country.
He assured that every necessary investment would be made to support
the reality of the project, adding that his administration was
committed to wealth creation, poverty alleviation, youth empowerment
and job creation in line with government’s promise to better the lots
of the people.
Earlier in his speech, Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Consultative
Council, Otunba Kunle Folarin said that they were in the state for an
economic maritime summit, which had been put on hold for about 55
years.
He added that the summit would open up the vast potentials of the
state in maritime industry with a promise of visible turn-around
within a short time.
Folarin however commended the passion of the state government to
harness and develop the maritime potentials of the state, stressing
that such passion would make the state an economic destination of the
country. |