President Bola Tinubu has given the green light for the start of commercial oil drilling operations at Tongeji Island, located in the Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State.
This announcement was made by Governor Dapo Abiodun on Thursday during a courtesy visit from Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha, the Flag Officer Commanding the Western Naval Command, along with senior officers from the command, at the governor’s office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Governor Abiodun also revealed that the President had approved the immediate commencement of the Olokola Deep Seaport project, situated in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area. This development is seen as a significant breakthrough after years of anticipation surrounding the multibillion-dollar port project.
Both initiatives, Abiodun said, are of particular interest to President Tinubu. He noted that the Olokola Deep Seaport would greatly help alleviate congestion at the Lagos ports, while the commercial oil drilling at Tongeji Island would foster inclusion and provide economic empowerment for the residents of nearby coastal communities.
“Mr. President has approved the commencement of commercial oil drilling operations at Tongeji Island, and soon, there will be a lot of activity in the area,” the governor stated. He further highlighted the renewed focus on the Olokola Port, which had been on hold for many years but is now advancing, thanks to President Tinubu’s personal initiative. “In the past two weeks, we’ve had several meetings on Olokola, and the President has shown a clear desire to see the port project come to fruition.”
The governor explained that the President had given a directive to ensure significant progress on the port’s construction by next year, emphasizing that the project would help relieve pressure on Lagos ports, especially with the coastal road offering an alternative logistics route.
He also shared that the new seaport would be named the Blue Marine Economic Zone, reflecting its strategic coastal location and vast economic potential.
Governor Abiodun commended the Nigerian Navy for setting up a Forward Operations Base at Tongeji Island, which will help secure Nigeria’s borders and prevent incursions from the neighboring Republic of Benin, ensuring the country’s territorial integrity is upheld.
The governor also mentioned that his administration was working to provide essential amenities to the residents of Tongeji Island, aiming to improve their living conditions and support the emerging economic activities in the area.
Acknowledging the contributions of the Nigerian Navy to Ogun State’s security, Abiodun praised the collaboration between security agencies, which has been instrumental in maintaining peace across the state.
In his remarks, Rear Admiral Mustapha emphasized Ogun State’s importance to Nigeria’s national security and confirmed that the naval outpost at Tongeji Island would be upgraded to a Forward Operations Base due to the area’s significant oil potential. He added that the purpose of the visit was to strengthen the relationship between the Nigerian Navy and Ogun State, particularly in safeguarding Nigeria’s border with the Republic of Benin and preventing criminal activities.
