President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the commencement of commercial oil drilling at Tongeji Island in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State, marking a major milestone in Nigeria’s coastal energy development. The approval signals a new phase of economic activity for the state’s border communities and strengthens Ogun’s role in the nation’s oil and gas sector.
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, disclosed this on Thursday while receiving the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abubakar Abdullahi Mustapha, during a courtesy visit to the Government House in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta. According to the governor, the project has already begun attracting preparatory activities following presidential approval.
Abiodun also announced that President Tinubu has directed the immediate take-off of the long-awaited Olokola Deep Seaport project in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area. He described the decision as a breakthrough after years of delays, noting that the multibillion-dollar port would significantly decongest the Lagos ports and enhance Nigeria’s maritime trade capacity.
The governor revealed that the new seaport will be developed as the Blue Marine Economic Zone, highlighting its strategic coastal position and vast economic potential. He added that the President has instructed that construction should be substantially advanced between now and next year, especially with the coastal road expected to provide an alternative logistics corridor for cargo movement.
Abiodun commended the Nigerian Navy for establishing a Forward Operations Base at Tongeji Island, saying the naval presence would help secure Nigeria’s territorial waters and prevent cross-border infiltration from the Republic of Benin. Rear Admiral Mustapha, in his remarks, described Ogun State as strategically important to national security and confirmed that the naval outpost would be upgraded due to the area’s emerging oil potential.
source: punch