..says Error in Operating Licence Stalled Progress

..Promises to Touch Every Sector in the new administration

The Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has affirmed that the deep seaport project initiated by his late boss, Akeredolu, has come to stay. He noted that an error discovered in the operating licence was responsible for the delay in its takeoff.

Addressing a world press conference during the Beach Sunsplash at Araromi Obu seaside in Ilaje Local Government Area as part of his inauguration ceremony, Aiyedatiwa explained that when President Buhari released the operating licence two years ago, it was “erroneously written in the name of one potential partner.”

“The name on that licence was in one of the partners’ name and not Ondo State Deep Seaport Limited. There was a contention regarding that, and we had to make some moves to get that error corrected. As you know, it is almost like starting a new process entirely because of all the procedures involved.

“The analysis has changed over time. Two weeks ago, I was in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, to discuss with some potential investors who are putting so much interest in partnering with Ondo State for the development of the seaport.

“Very soon, you will be hearing more about this, but I can tell you that the Ondo State Deep Seaport has come to stay,” he explained.

He hinted that holding the world press conference at the seaside was a deliberate and strategic decision to showcase the area’s abundant potential, particularly in tourism.

Speaking on his developmental plans for the next four years, the Ondo State Governor assured the public of his administration’s commitment to ensuring that no sector is left untouched under the OUR EASE ERA agenda.

He expressed his readiness to boost the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) by engaging a consultant to deploy modern technology for revenue monitoring to block leakages.

He also dismissed the public perception that the state generates ₦7 billion monthly, clarifying that the actual IGR stands between ₦1.7 billion and ₦2 billion.