206
By Daniel Adaji
Oyo State has ceded 90 hectares of land in Moniya, Ibadan, to the Federal Government for the development of a new Inland Dry Port expected to strengthen maritime trade and boost economic activity in the South-West.
The director of information and public relations at the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Anastasia Ogbonna disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
The Certificate of Occupancy for the land was officially presented to the ministry, reinforcing the government’s effort to position Nigeria as a regional maritime hub.
Receiving the documents on behalf of the Federal Government, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Olufemi Oloruntola, said the donation shows a “clear demonstration of partnership and shared vision between the Federal and the State Government to expand economic opportunities through modern trade.”
Oloruntola, who represented the Minister, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, praised Oyo State for supporting the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He added that the Moniya Inland Dry Port would bring shipping services closer to importers and exporters, thereby stimulating industrial and agricultural growth across the entire South-West region.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Dr. Pius Akutah — represented by the Director of Inland Transport Services, Ahmadu Garta — appreciated the state government’s decision to partner with the Federal Government in developing the facility. He stated that dry ports remain an integral part of modern trade facilitation and national commerce.
The Oyo State Deputy Governor, Abdul-Raheem Lawal, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to the project but called for adherence to delivery timelines.
“We are committed to seeing this project through, but we also implore the Ministry and the Council to ensure this project is delivered in time for the maximum benefit of the people of Oyo State and its environs,” he said.
A joint inspection of the site by officials of the Ministry, the Shippers’ Council and the Oyo State Government followed the land presentation ceremony. The location is considered strategic due to its proximity to the Obafemi Awolowo Train Station, which connects Lagos ports -Apapa and Ebute-Metta Stations – to Ibadan on a daily freight and passenger schedule.
The Moniya project forms part of the Federal Government’s national plan to decongest seaports and extend cargo clearance operations into inland states. Inland dry ports provide customs services, warehousing and cargo handling closer to manufacturing zones, reducing logistics costs and promoting regional development.
In a similar development, the Ogun State Government recently handed over 130 hectares of land for the development of the Ijebu-Ode Inland Dry Port.