Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, announced on Tuesday that his administration has completed the formalities of allocating a 100-hectare land in Ode-Omi, Ogun Waterside Local Government Area, for the establishment of a Naval Base and Dockyard for the Nigerian Navy.
This initiative, according to the Governor, will significantly boost security and support economic growth in the state’s coastal regions.
During a meeting in his office with the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Mike Oamen, Governor Abiodun emphasised that the state government has waived all fees and charges, which amounted to several billions of naira, in order to facilitate the project.
He also confirmed that the Certificate of Occupancy for the allocated land has already been forwarded to the Nigerian Navy’s headquarters.
The Governor highlighted the strategic importance of the project to Ogun State, particularly considering the state’s riverine and coastal areas.
“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,” he said.
Abiodun further explained that a committee comprising members of the Nigerian Navy and the state government was set up to identify suitable locations for the facility. After thorough deliberations, the 100-hectare parcel of land in Ogun Waterside was selected for the project.
The Governor added, “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.”
In a further display of commitment, the Governor revealed that the access road to the site will be completed by the end of the week, which will make the area ready for the groundbreaking ceremony.
“The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure is here, and he has briefed me that sometime by the end of this week, 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,” he said.
He explained that progress had been delayed due to the rains, but with the cessation of rainfall, construction work on the road and site preparation had resumed.
The Governor stressed that the establishment of the naval base is essential to ensure the security of Ogun State, particularly as the state anticipates significant economic activity in its coastal regions.
He noted that with the presence of Tongeji Island in Ipokia Local Government and the Olokola Deep Sea Port in Ogun Waterside, Ogun is well-positioned to become a hub for oil exploration and maritime activities.
He also emphasised the growing likelihood of Ogun becoming an oil-producing state, citing recent developments including a visit from the Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission (NURC), the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), and the Ministry of Petroleum, which declared the state a frontier oil-producing region.
In his remarks, Rear Admiral Mike Oamen praised the Governor for his steadfast support to the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies in the state.
He commended the Governor’s efforts in ensuring the safety of residents and safeguarding Ogun’s maritime space.
Rear Admiral Oamen emphasised that the Navy’s presence would play a key role in ensuring the safety of the state’s coastlines and waterways from criminal activities.
He added, “The Ogun State Governor has taken the security of life and property of residents and indigenes of the state very seriously, and the Nigerian Navy is very ready to support this effort.
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