Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, will, on Thursday, May 11, flag off the dredging of Oguta/Orashi waterways, linking the Atlantic Ocean from Imo State, as efforts by the Federal Government to designate that part of the state as an oil and gas free trade zone gathers momentum.
Last week, President Muhammadu Buhari granted Governor Hope Uzodimma’s request to declare the Oguta/Ohaji/Egbema and environs as an oil and gas free trade zone, given the quantum of oil and gas deposit in the area, believed to be the largest in the country.
After Mass, yesterday, at the Government House Chapel, Owerri, Uzodimma disclosed that the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, Minister of Transportation, and the Minister of Trade and Investment will join the Vice President, among other key Federal Government officials, at the event, while urging Imo people to be part of the all important occasion.
The governor said: “Dredging has become necessary, considering a lot of criminal activities going on in that area.”
“Considering its negative impact on the image of the state government and its people, my administration has decided to partner Nigerian Navy to clean up the channel from Oguta Lake to Orashi River, up to the high sea, as far as Degema.”
He recalled that before the 1960s, bigger vessels were coming to Oguta Town to collect produce.
“As a matter of fact, the warehouses and office buildings used by the Royal Niger Company in the 60s are still there,” he said.
Uzodimma maintained that his government has a duty to ensure security, reduce the spate of banditry and other illegal activities in that area.
He said: “By the Grace of God, this administration will partner with Nigerian Navy in funding and supervision of the project to ensure its success.
“When completed, it will boost the economy of the area and, indeed, that of the state and Nigeria, in general.”
