The Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has said that in the southwest zone of the country, there’s no better place to discuss boundary issue rather than the Gateway State.
The governor made this statement at the opening speech of a 2-day Interactive Session of the National Boundary Commission with Boundary Committees of states in the South West, held at the Conference Hotel, Abeokuta the state capital, noted that one cannot enter Lagos and move out without passing through the Ogun State.
“You cannot get into and out of Lagos State without passing through Gateway State, and that’s why we got the name gateway state”.
Abiodun appealed to the Federal Government to make life more meaningful for the citizens of the state living on Tongeji Island in Ipokia Local Government Area, urged the FG not to allow the neighbouring Benin Republic to take advantage of its proximity to the oil-rich Island.
He said, “Ogun as the Nation’s Gateway to the sub-region faces a challenge with Benin on the oil-rich Tongeji Island, which though located close to Port Novo in the Benin Republic, is actually situated in Ipokia Local Government of Ogun State in Nigeria.
“This administration is determined to make life meaningful for the citizens of the state living within the Island to ensure that the Republic of Benin that shares a boundary with the state does not take advantage of that proximity”.
“We are well aware of likely deposits of petroleum reserves on the island and we hereby call on the Federal Government to join hands with us in giving the residents of the island a sense of belonging by providing access road/bridge for them amongst their other needs.”
He added that his administration would continue to employ peaceful resolution in settling boundary disputes.
”For us in Ogun State, we will continue to be committed to peaceful resolutions of boundary matter’s because we know that for development to be sustained, it is critical that our neighbouring states are also thriving. There is no way that the rate of development in our neighbouring states will not affect us one way or the other.
