BENIN CITY: Edo State Governor Mr. Godwin Obaseki has assured people of the state that there are sufficient economy justifications in developing the Gelegele seaport, stressing that the seaport will be an agro-processing zone and is a reality and would come on stream soon.
He gave the assurance while speaking to journalist on the rejection of the bill establishing the seaport sponsored by Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma member representing Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives.
Obaseki said Gelegele seaport was never design to be a Federal Port in the first instance but a Port that is feasible, were the feasibility report will justify rational economy investment decision in the Port.
“For me, I don’t understand what was being attempted or what the issues are at the Federal House. We never design a Port waiting for exclusive Federal support. The Port we are going to build in Gelegele will justify its own economy”.
The governor said the seaport is to be an agro-processing Zone and it is located in a place where there is enough gas that can be used to generate electricity and also power industries.
“There are sufficient economy justification base on which we can raise private sector money to develop that Port, as such do not believe the federal government will stop or discourage Edo State from building a Port that is economically viable”.
Obaseki said the seaport is on course as his administration is talking to consultants who are currently working on looking at the design, studies that need to be done on water depth, the width of the river, the amount of dredging that would be done.
He assured the people of the state that a lot is being done currently and the act in the Federal House of Representative will not slow down the job of as the seaport will soon become a reality.
