The Need For Expedient Dredging And Commissioning Of The Gelegele Seaport

The need for expedient dredging and commissioning of the Gelegele Seaport, being an open letter to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR, by the Benin National Congress, 5th September 2013.

Your Excellency,
We (the members and trustees of the Benin National Congress) wish to most respectfully urge the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to use his good offices as a matter of urgency prevail on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to consider at uppermost in their priorities of projects to be executed in Edo state – the dredging and commissioning of the Gelegele Seaport, so that the ancient port which was discovered centuries ago by the Portuguese and other transatlantic explorers would attain a modern status; by so doing, Edo people will significantly benefit from the so-called transformation agenda of Mr. President.

In fact, Mr. President should bear in mind that our people have resolved to lend their political support to political leadership that can significantly make the dream seaport a reality. The time is now; our people have suffered enough hardship, and orchestrated deprivation.

Furthermore, it was high time the NDDC gravitated away from a road-patching agency or peripheral works into the much desired major projects that can significantly transform the lives of the majority of Edo people in particular and Niger-Delta people in general. The Congress notes with gratitude the significant or laudable projects that were executed by the outgoing board, chief of which is the over N1billion ultra-modern medical hostel sited in the University of Benin.

We equally call on the Comrade Governor to extend his courageous and leadership disposition in the fixing of Gelelege Seaport because of its capacity to generate hundreds of thousands of jobs for our teeming unemployed youths, while boosting the internal revenue of Edo State government. After all, the Governor's quest for revenue generation and job creation could become a mirage, if a viable seaport of the Gelegele standing remains aloof and unattended to.

We condemn in the strongest terms the seeming nonchalance of political elites over the plight of Gelegele Seaport; the non-development of the Port is in our view a grand conspiracy by some centrifugal forces, because NDDC projects are been channeled to non-producing oil and gas Local Governments contrary to the spirit and letter of the NDDC act; This is most regrettable, especially as it is done at the detriment of the neglected oil and gas communities.

We call on Mr. President to intervene in the interest of Edo people and place his name in the marble of achievers by rising to the rescue of Gelegele seaport. The Port will significantly reduce incidences of road mishaps on the Benin – Lagos express way, as a matter of fact, it will bring to fruition, the much desired port decongestion, while boosting development of Edo land.

This is our cry, Mr. President.
Dr. David Ekomwenrenren – Director of Publicity and Intelligence.