…says Olokola Deep Sea Port, LNG Project Coming Soon
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has commended the Nigeria Customs Service for its efforts in establishing a Zonal Office and Training School at the Gateway Agro-Cargo International Airport, Ilisan, Ikenne Local Government Area.
During a visit to the project site with Comptroller General, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, Governor Abiodun noted that the project would enhance Ogun State’s status as Nigeria’s industrial hub.
He also highlighted the significance of the project in relation to the proposed Kajola Inland Dry Port, Olokola Seaport, and the federal government’s planned resuscitation of a Liquefied Natural Gas Project in the area.
The Governor emphasized the strategic importance of the project’s location near the Agro-Cargo Airport, facilitating the Customs Service’s role in ensuring due process for import and export activities.
He expressed gratitude to the Comptroller General for ensuring the project’s continuity and stressed the vital role of the Customs Service in the upcoming Olokola Deep Sea Port and Liquefied Natural Gas Projects.
The Gateway Agro-Cargo Airport, according to Governor Abiodun, is strategically located to provide access to major expressways and is designed to comprise a Special Agro-Processing Zone and an Industrial Park for processing goods for export and local consumption. The project is valued at N73 billion.
“Our airport was strategically located. It is built to comprise the Special Agro-Processing Zone because of the uniqueness of the state as the number one producer of poultry, cassava, and high-quality cotton.
“Your presence is a key addition to allow our state to score high in the Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria. Any investor that wants to invest will ask if the Customs is there. Comptroller General, you are complementing our giant strides. Under your leadership, the Customs will be the best in the world,” the governor said.
The governor explained that the Comptroller General has instituted many laudable programs that have enhanced the operations of the service.
Speaking, the Comptroller General said a similar project was ongoing in Kaduna State, adding that the facility was needed to expand its Federal Operations Unit in Lagos and for the purpose of relocating the Zonal Office to Ogun State.
Adeniyi, while assuring that the project might be completed ahead of schedule, also announced the establishment of a Customs University in Lagos, stating that budgetary provision and approvals have been given for its take-off.
The training school at Ilisan-Remo, the Comptroller General maintained, is a N73 billion project and would provide direct and indirect jobs to hundreds of people in the area, calling for the support of the government and people of the state to make it a reality.
“Ogun State has played a key role since the inception of this project till now. The project is to support what the governor is doing to enable his people to enjoy the dividends of democracy. We are happy to key into the vision of the state government to transform the state into a larger economic giant.
“The rest of Africa looks up to us to provide leadership, and after the completion of this project, no customs in the entire African corridor will come close to us,” Adeniyi submitted.
