Although, Ogun state under the immediate past Government of Ibikunle Amosun lost about $9 billion oil and gas refinery plant considered the single biggest investment promoted by Aliko Dangote, the African richest man, to Lekki Free Trade Zone, the State Government is however making frantic move to resusciate the moribund Olokola deep seaport and free trade zone with public private partnership arrangements.
The-soon-to-begin Olokola seaport and free trade zone project, according to official statement, will now go side by side with proposed 3-in-1 airport project being considered by The Triumvirate Group (TTG), a United States-based Consortium, that has just opened talks with the State Government on possible establishment of a 3-in-1 airport at Ajumo, Ijebu Waterside Area of the State, which is expected to house international, cargo and local airport simultaneously.
According to an impeccable source in State Government’s Circle, the Olokola deep seaport and free trade zone might have been neglected by Ibikunle Amosun’s Gobernment with the exit of investors like Dangote and other partners, the new Administration of Dapo Abiodun is working assiduously to ensure that the moribund project is resuscitated as soon as practicable for the betterment and development of the State economy.
Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of The Triumvirate Group (TTG) during a meeting with Dapo Okubadejo, Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser in Abeokuta, Niyi Raji, said the project was put together by its partners in United States to invest in a 3-in-1 Compact International Airports at Ajumo, Ijebu Waterside Area of the State which would be 100% private sector-driven.
Raji noted that the The Triumvirate Group (TTG) is a Consortium of investors with financial capabilities, expertise in execution and management of various infrastructural projects with proven record of performance, with special reference to international airport project, saying the projects would also open up the State to other investors and business opportunities.
He said, “The operations of the Compact 3-in1 airports coupled with simultaneous running of both the Metroline and Road network from Ajumo in Ogun State to Ode Omi in Lagos State, would naturally deepen the economic activities of the entrepreneurs and individuals providing services for the facilities. The investment will also open up further investments along the oil and gas, food and confectioneries, fashion and entertainment, food and agriculture and automobile workshops, among others.”
Responding, Dapo Okubadejo, Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser after the meeting he had with the Consortium in Abeokuta recently, said that the current administration led by Governor Dapo Abiodun is determined to make the State the haven of investment in Africa, adding that the State Government sees the project as a very significant project, which is in line with the vision of the Governor Abiodun whose focus is on Public-Private Partnership Governance.
“The plan for the State airport is going on and we believe strongly that the State Government will pursue to its logical conclusion. The airport itself is not just an airport, it is an aerotropolis. An airport city that will sit on a minimum of 5000 hectares of land, it will also comprise the airport itself as an anchor project, with complimentary facilities and projects that will enhance the commercial viability of the airport.
“A special agricultural processing zone, the international quality assurance facility, that evaluates and measures quality standard of products for export, logistics and distribution hub in this area as well as other facilities for other industrial and commercial purposes”, he said.
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