Economy
Ogun Deep Seaport: How Decentralization Of Lagos Port Can Ease Traffic Congestion And Boost Economic Growth In Other Ocean Bound Nigerian States -By Prince Samuel Adesegun Egunjobi
In the nearest future, the Federal Government of Nigeria should also endeavour to resuscitate moribund ports and facilitate the development of new ones in the South South and South East states for even distribution of sustainable development and accelerated growth in other states of the federation with ocean access and viability.
Ogun State, A major industrial hub among the 36 states of Nigeria is set to become one of the commercially and economically viable state for foreign investment with the completion of the gateway airport and the proposed deep seaport project.
The gateway state occupies a strategic position in Nigeria, sharing boundaries with Lagos State, Oyo state, Ondo state, Benin republic and vast access to Atlantic Ocean.
The only functioning deep seaport known to importers and exporters is the Lagos Apapa and Lekki port, contributing to government revenue, commercialisation and boosting of economic activities in the area. The operation of the port have also contributed to traffic congestion in the commercial capital of Nigeria due to the influx of people and business owners coming to Lagos for their cargoes and others monitoring their locally made goods bound for exports to other countries.
The government have promised to decongest activities in the Lagos ports by sending monitoring and performance evaluation team to warri port in Delta, Akwaibom, Ondo state, Ogun state and other states with ocean access to assess it viability, possibility, cost-benefit relationship and long term performance in terms of security and sustainability.
The visit of Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun to China some months ago have come to fruition as Nigeria signs Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for commencement of Ogun deep seaport project.
With the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway already in progress, the deep seaport along the Ogun maritime front will be exposing communities in the area to accelerated growth, economic development, expansion of commercial activities, providing opportunities for employment to locals, increment in real estate values e. t. c as industry players and other international trade actors will be seeking to have branch offices along the route.
Many already established exporters will be diverting their operations from Lagos to Ogun state, and the access to the seaport will also give locals opportunities to reach the global communities with their locally made goods and agricultural produces.
In the nearest future, the Federal Government of Nigeria should also endeavour to resuscitate moribund ports and facilitate the development of new ones in the South South and South East states for even distribution of sustainable development and accelerated growth in other states of the federation with ocean access and viability.
Prince Samuel Adesegun Egunjobi, MBA
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