Ogun dumps seaport for 3-in-1 airport project in Ijebu waterside
The Ogun State government seems to have jettisoned the idea of reviving Olokola deep seaport and free trade zone to pursue a 3-in-1 mega airport at Ijebu waterside area of the state.
Recall that the Olokola deep seaport which was designed to promote free trade and facilitate establishment of export-oriented industries was registered under the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) in 2004 and had Aliko Dangote and NNPC Joint Ventures for the establishment of Olokola Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) at the inception.
Businessday reports that lack of necessary support and indifference of both Ogun and Ondo State governments being led then by former
Governors Ibikunle Amosun and Olusegun Mimiko respectively, allegedly stalled progress of the multi-billion dollars project, prompting Aliko Dangote and his consortium to ditch Olokola deep seaport project, and move to Lekki Free Trade Zone, Lagos, where Dangote is now constructing a $9 billion crude oil refinery plant.
But, with The Triumvirate Group (TTG), a United States- based Consortium, a new deal is about to be reached between Ogun State government and The Triumvirate Consortium in order to establish a 3-in-1 airport at Ajumo, Ijebu Waterside area of the state. The proposed project is expected to house international, cargo and local airport simultaneously.
A peep into the multimillion aerotropolis project shows there would be simultaneous construction of an international airport of world standard, a cargo airport, local airport to connect flights within Nigeria, road networks across the 3- in- 1 airport, coastal road infrastructure and rail networks with Lagos State, a five-star international hotel, among other complementary investments.
Speaking on behalf of The Triumvirate Group ( TTG) during a meeting with Dapo Okubadejo, Ogun State commissioner for finance and chief economic adviser in Abeokuta, Niyi Raji, said the project was put together by its partners in United States to invest in a 3-in-1 Compact International Airport at Ajumo, Ijebu Waterside Area of the state which would be 100 percent private sector-driven.
Raji explained that The Triumvirate Group ( TTG) was a consortium of investors with financial capabilities, expertise in execution and management of various infrastructure projects with proven record of performance and special reference to international airport project. He said the project would also open up the state to other investors and business opportunities.
“The operations of the compact 3-in-1 airport coupled with simultaneous running of both the metroline and road network from Ajumo in Ogun State to Ode Omi in Lagos State, would naturally deepen the economic activities of the entrepreneurs and individuals providing services for the facilities. The investment will also open up further investments along the oil and gas, food and confectioneries, fashion and entertainment, food and agriculture and automobile workshops, among others.”
Responding, Okubadejo said the Governor Dapo Abiodun-led administration was determined to make Ogun the ‘haven of investment in Africa’.