By Yemi Olakitan
In order to give the people of Ogun State and its coastal areas proper protection, Governor Dapo Abiodun has made a request to the Nigerian Navy to build a naval facility in the state’s Ogun Waterside area.
Ogun Waterside’s proximity to the Niger Delta, according to Abiodun, has resulted in security issues in the past.
He noted that residents of the Niger Delta have committed crimes and made incursions into the area, which is why it is crucial to have a naval presence there as the state’s seaport will also be located there.
During a courtesy call at his Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta office, the Governor made an appeal to Rear Admiral Mustapha Bala Hassan, the Flag Officer Commanding of the Nigerian Navy’s Western Naval Command.
He claimed that the Nigeria Navy’s presence would be greatly appreciated because the towns in the area could only be reached by water and that his administration’s attempts to provide security to the residents of that axis resulted in the purchase of gunboats for the police.
“The Olokola area’s Ogun State Port is essentially a Navy responsibility, and it is currently under development.” Since it has been in the works for so long, we will be revealing the news very soon. It didn’t happen back then for whatever reason, but it will eventually.
There will be a lot of activity in that area that calls for a strong Navy presence. The governor said, “The federal government is resuming a multibillion-dollar project, which would entail significant responsibilities for the Navy due to its location in the territorial seas surrounding Ogun Waterside.”
He informed the Nigerian Navy that a committee would be established to collaborate with the force in determining a site where an administrative building would be made available for their use, and he also mentioned that his administration is working tirelessly to turn the State into an oil-producing state.
Additionally, he stated that since the Republic of Benin is not claiming ownership of the oil-rich enclave of Tongeji Island in the Ipokia Government Area of the State, it belongs to Nigeria.
According to the governor, Ogun State has always included the island and its residents, and they have no ties to any other nation.
“Contrary to popular belief, I brought up the issue with the President of the Benin Republic during our two meetings, informing him that Tongeji Island is off limits to them. They are not fighting alongside us for the island.
“It is true that we leave our mark on that place by helping the locals. I will instruct our Ministry of Works team to visit the Jetty you named and assess the situation so that we can determine the associated costs. You brought up the problems with the primary healthcare centre, water supplies, and electricity.
“It has been come to light on a few occasions that our people there are complaining that we are not taking care of them, therefore if we are asserting that it is our area, they must see us doing some services for our people. The governor promised, “We would start offering them those services right away.”
Prior to this, the 44th Flag Officer Commanding of Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Mustapha Hassan, praised the state for its business-friendly climate, which has made it the country’s industrial centre, and stressed the necessity for the state to work towards becoming an oil-producing state through Tongeji Island.
In an appeal to the governor to provide jetties so that operations could run smoothly, he stated that the army has expanded its operations to Tongeji in order to preserve not just the lives of Nigerians residing on the island but also the country’s territorial integrity and all of its resources.
Admiral Hassan also begged the state government to give the Island’s residents access to electricity, water, and health care so they would feel like they belong.
He also hinted that the government might leverage the Island’s potential to become a hub for tourism.