By Ayodele Oni
In fulfillment of its promise to commence work on Ondo Deep Sea Port, the Federal Ministry of Transportation has inaugurated a Project Steering Committee.
A statement by the Director of Press in the Ministry, Henshaw Ogubike, stated that the Committee will also oversee Benin River Ports.
The inauguration was performed on Wednesday in Abuja by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation, Dr. Magdalene Ajani.
The statement explained that setting up the steering committee for the proposed projects is in furtherance of the Federal Government’s efforts to decongest the Western Ports, as well as optimize the contributions of the maritime sector to the country’s economy.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Permanent Secretary said the terms of reference for the Committee include to provide guidance and direction on the projects and facilitate necessary permits, clearance and approvals.
She said it will also be the responsibility of the Committee to prepare the transaction for the Ministry to obtain Federal Executive Council’s approval.
Members of the Steering Committee include the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, representatives of the Federal Ministries of Finance and Justice, National Inland Waterways, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, among others.
