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Hails Tinubu for approving project
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From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
The senator representing Ogun East at the National Assembly, Gbenga Daniel, has said that the naval base and dockyard established by the Federal Government in Ode Omi Area of Ogun Waterside Local Government, will boost the local economy through job creation and infrastructure development.
He observed that apart from numerous economic benefits the project will facilitate in Ogun State, it will equally enhance national security.
Daniel disclosed though an expanse of land had been allocated to the Nigerian Navy over 50 years ago for the naval base, the project got the presidential approval when he was elected senator and emerged as the Senate Committee Chairman on Navy.
The senator, who hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the establishment of the military project and dockyard, stated this at the weekend, while speaking during the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Otunba Gbenga Daniel (BATOGD) Mid-term Community Assessment and Review Tour to Abigi in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area.
The tour was held to evaluate progress, engage with constituents and inspect community projects.
Daniel, however, expressed optimism that adequate funding would be provided by the Federal Government for the naval base to harness its full potential.
“I believe God loves this local government, that’s why He gave us a second chance to actualise some of our lofty agenda. This expanse of land has been given to the Nigerian Navy over 50 years ago and nothing happened until this period when God made me a Senator and the Senate Committee Chairman on Navy.
“Let me underscore one fact: it’s not that the Navy was in a hurry to begin work here but it’s due to some deliberate strategic efforts. We have to thank our President and Commander-in-Chief, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for granting approval to what we needed to do.”
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“You will recall that the refinery project we intended to bring here when I was governor was why we established the Gateway Industrial and Petro-Gas Institute (GIPI) in Ode-Omi and the proposed deep seaport. The school was meant to train those that would work in the refinery. That was part of our plan when I was governor of this state. But when we left the government, the situation turned somehow.
“However, there is still room for redress. We are going to reactivate the GIPI because whatever the state government should do and it failed, we are there at the federal level to assist. Most importantly, our President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is ready to assist us. Look at what happened at the Tai Solarin University of Education when it appeared the state was incapable of funding the institution; the Federal Government waded in, took over the school and started funding it. That’s what we are doing with the GIPI.
“Many people may not fully know what is meant by the naval base. It is a naval city. Wherever it is located, the security of the place is guaranteed. This project is in stages: we are embarking on phase one which consists of accommodation for senior and junior officers, administrative building, the perimeter fence and security work, etc. The second phase is naval secondary school while the third phase is naval hospital.
“What we have to do is to thank our President for approving this project here. However, he must be supported for a second term in office to bring into fruition all his laudable programmes and projects. The President means well for Nigeria and well-meaning citizens support his administration,” he stated.
Daniel further commended the president for providing tremendous support for the resuscitation of the Olokola deep-seaport project in the local government which, according to him, will impact positively on the state’s economy.
The lawmaker expressed delight that the local government was already being opened up by the Federal Government through the new Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway route alignment.
Daniel stressed that President Tinubu had good intentions for Nigerians, adding that his administration was determined to empower the citizens through strategic projects.
He declared that people of the state remained eternally grateful to the president for various projects and would reciprocate his kind gesture with massive votes in 2027 general elections.
