Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday said the Muhammadu Buhari led administration is taking its time in the ongoing Ogoni clean up.
Osinbajo said the Federal government was careful in ensuring that the clean up exercise did not go the way of previous administrations.
The Vice President spoke at the 2nd National Council On Niger Delta at the Ondo State International Center for Culture and Events (DOME), in Akure, the state capital.
He said the APC led Federal government was ensuring a strong foundation that will make the Clean up of Ogoni land workable.
Osinbajo said “Ogoni clean up is on, but it might be undergoing slow pace than anticipated
“We are making sure that a solid foundation is laid so that it would not flop like efforts made by the past administration”.
The Vice President also disclosed that the President has approved N2billion for the take-off of the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State.
In his welcome address, Ondo State governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, requested for operational licence for deep sea mining port In Ilaje Free Trade Zone in the state.
He said that the development of the Deep Sea Mining Port would serve as the veritable potential to turn the Niger Delta Region of Ondo State into a hub of investment opportunities.
Akeredolu said: “We believe that opening our deep sea for economic activities will serve as a tremendous boost
“We, like Oliver Twist, therefore, request from the Federal Government an approval of license for the establishment of a Deep Sea Mining Port in the Ilaje Free Trade Zone
“The State coastline which is about 120km is the longest and the deepest in Nigeria and West Africa Sub- Region
“The State is home to very beautiful beaches and aquatic resources like Sole Snapper, Croaker, Barracuda, Big Eye Grunter, Cat fish and other fish species
“Ondo State is also endowed with abundant mineral deposits such as Limestone, coal, granite, kaolin, silica sand, bitumen among others.
“The development of the deep sea mining port possesses the veritable potential to turn the Niger Delta areas of Ondo State into a hub of investment opportunities.
“It will assist, greatly, in the quest to provide possibilities for infrastructural development of not only the area, but also the State and Nigeria at large
“It will add value to agriculture and solid minerals development as evacuation of agricultural products and solid minerals (e.g. bitumen) can be easily done without stress
“The mining port, if approved, does not need any dredging and can allow passage of bigger vessels due to the high depth of the coastline.
“The establishment of the mining port will also create employment opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths, improve the socio-economic stance of the people of the State and stimulate the development of micro and small/medium enterprises,” Akeredolu advocated.
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