The Ogun State Government has officially started the construction of the Gateway Inland Dry Port located in Itori, Ewekoro. The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, along with Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun.
Oyetola emphasized that the Inland Dry Port is intended to be a crucial logistics hub that will improve the distribution of goods across Nigeria. It is expected that the project will create over 5,000 direct jobs and an additional 15,000 indirect jobs while alleviating congestion at major seaports such as Apapa and Tin Can Island.
“This initiative sets the foundation for a logistics center that optimizes the movement of goods nationwide,” Oyetola stated. He also mentioned that the project will attract investments, fostering regional growth that benefits both Ogun State and other parts of Nigeria.
The Minister stressed that the project is in line with the administration’s objectives of promoting innovation and stimulating economic growth. Inland dry ports offer a quicker and more efficient means to transport goods, thereby reducing pressure on Lagos’ coastal seaports and bolstering the national economy.
Governor Dapo Abiodun noted that the Gateway Inland Dry Port represents a significant milestone in transforming Ogun State into a logistics and industrial hub. He confidently asserted that this project will enhance development within the state and play a key role as a transport and logistics center for Nigeria, facilitating the movement of goods both regionally and nationally.
“This development positions Ogun as a prominent logistics and commercial center in Nigeria and West Africa,” Abiodun remarked, highlighting the port’s potential to positively influence regional trade.
He also pointed out the strategic location of the port in Kajola, Itori, as vital for boosting industrial and manufacturing activities in Ogun State. Once completed, the facility is expected to improve Ogun’s ranking on the ease-of-doing-business index, attracting both local and international investments.
The Governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to industrialization and economic enhancement, stressing that the Gateway Inland Dry Port will not only generate jobs and attract investments but will also provide benefits that resonate across the region.
