Why Ondo Deserves Sea Port – Gov Akeredolu

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has reiterated the need to ensure that the proposed Sea port in the State becomes a reality if the Nation is truly committed to doing what is right.

The Governor said the State has every advantage to have a deep seaport considering the unique deepest draught in the state.

Stating that the state waterways need no dredging, Mr Akeredolu noted that the State Government has completed every necessary study on the proposed deep sea port.

The Governor spoke on Tuesday while receiving participants of the Senior Course 43, 2021 of the National Institute For Policy and Strategies Studies (NIPSS), led by the Director of Studies of the institute, Professor Funmi Para-Mallam.

The participants are in the state as part of their study tours.

NIPSS is a policy formulation center for bureaucrats, private sector leaders, Military officers and medium-ranking, as well as senior civil servants.

The Governor disclosed that there are investors including Dubai Wharf and China Harbour that have expressed interest in developing the seaport in the state.

Speaking on the theme for the study titled “Getting Things Done, Policy and Program Implementation in Nigeria”, he charged the participants of the NIPSS Senior Course 43 to advocate for the need to do what is right in the country.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Richard Olatunde, said Governor Akeredolu identified not getting things done as the bane of the country.

“You are the foremost nation’s think-tank. This institute has been existing for long. People have gone for studies in this institute. I don’t know if we are getting things done in this country.

“If you look at the crop of Technocrats that are here, you will know that if we listen to what you have and try and implement your innovative ideas, we would have developed a long time ago.”

The leader of the Team, Professor Funmi Para-Mallam, explained that their study in the state is focused on strategy for policy and programme implementation for the country.

She pointed out that the team was in the state to interact with the State Government’s Resource Persons on the programmes and policies of the state and how they are being achieved.