Ondo Deep Sea Port takes off soon, Mimiko

Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko has reiterated his administration's commitment towards ensuring the reality of the long anticipated Deep Sea Port in the state within the shortest time.

Governor Mimiko who gave this assurance in his office on Monday while playing host to the Chairman and members of the Nigerian Ports Consultative Council (NPCC) who are in the state for a maritime summit submitted that the state was endowed with the longest coastline in the country and West Africa. This, according to him, ought to have been put into maximum use in the interest of the country and the State. He assured that his government would partner with the NPCC to develop the State's abundant maritime potential in the State with a view to boosting its economy.

Specifically, the Governor who regretted that many stakeholders in the maritime industry had failed in the past to key into the vast opportunities available along the state's coastline assured the time has come for a new dawn in the industry in the state.

The 2010 Maritime Summit with the theme: “Harnessing Maritime Development Opportunities in Ondo State” holding between Tuesday and Thursday this week in Akure, the State capital, Governor Mimiko expressed optimism that this would serve as a catalyst to jump start the actualization of the deep sea port that would also make the state a reference point in maritime industry in the country.

He assured that every necessary investment would be made to support the reality of the project, adding that his administration was committed to wealth creation, poverty alleviation, youth empowerment and job creation in line with government's promise to better the lots of the people.

Earlier in his speech, Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Consultative Council, Otunba Kunle Folarin said that they were in the state for an economic maritime summit, which had been put on hold for about 55 years.

He added that the summit would open up the vast potentials of the state in maritime industry with a promise of visible turn-around within a short time.

Folarin however commended the passion of the state government to harness and develop the maritime potentials of the state, stressing that such passion would make the state an economic destination of the country.