The Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has said the proposed Ondo Deep Sea Port will function as a major hub for international trade, serving not only Ondo State but the entire country and some West African nations.
The governor stated this on Thursday after receiving the revalidated licence for the port from the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Chief Adegboyega Oyetola, in Abuja.
The licence for the port, originally approved by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023, was submitted to the Federal Government for revalidation following some errors discovered in the document.
Receiving the new licence from the minister at the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy during a brief ceremony, Governor Aiyedatiwa thanked the Federal Government for fast-tracking the revalidation process.
Addressing journalists after the event, the governor said the state government was ready to commence the project, noting that it would serve as a hub for international trade.
He explained that such infrastructure could not be restricted to state-level use, describing it as a gateway to international operations and businesses, with the capacity to support industry, commerce, and the economy as a whole.
The governor further stated that the deep sea port is designed to accommodate businesses across Nigeria and neighbouring West African countries, noting that it has a natural draught of about 18 metres.
According to him, the depth would allow very large vessels, bigger than those currently operating at Lagos ports, to berth with ease.
Governor Aiyedatiwa added that the size of the port would eliminate the need for trans-shipment, as vessels would be able to sail directly into Ondo State waters.
He said the project would have a positive impact on Nigeria’s economy, stressing that its benefits would not be limited to cargo movement alone.
He noted that once construction commences and ground-breaking takes place, there would be increased movement of people into the state, including those involved in financial and humanitarian services, with attendant implications for the state’s hospitality sector.
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