Ogun Government Foresees 40,000 Jobs with Kajola Dry Port Project

In a recent announcement, the Ogun State Government has disclosed that the newly approved Kajola Dry Port holds the promise of generating a minimum of 40,000 jobs once it becomes operational. The revelation was made by the Commissioner for Transportation in the state, Olugbenga Dairo, through an official statement issued in Abeokuta on Thursday.

Commissioner Dairo emphasized that the impact of the Kajola Dry Port goes beyond job creation. It is expected to contribute significantly to reducing transport and transaction costs, attracting investments in infrastructure and regional development projects, and enhancing internal revenue generation for the state, among other positive outcomes.

Providing insight into the current status of the Kajola Dry Port development, Dairo stated that significant progress had been made, underscoring Ogun State’s commitment to establishing itself as Nigeria’s premier investment and business destination. He highlighted that the dry port is poised to play a pivotal role in the implementation of Ogun State’s Multimodal Transportation Master Plan.

Part of the statement reads: “In 2021, His Excellency, Governor Dapo Abiodun, directed us to put together a strategic Multimodal Transportation Master Plan for Ogun State. This we did in conjunction with experts from the prestigious Olabisi Onabanjo University and support from the United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office. We were very mindful of the aspirations of His Excellency for economic and industrial development for the state, and so we deemed it critical to plan for an airport and a dry port.”

Commissioner Dairo highlighted the near completion of the airport and the parallel plan to develop a dry port that would handle goods from Apapa and Tincan dry ports. He expressed enthusiasm about securing the Federal Government’s approval for the development, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to fulfill the necessary requirements.

Providing details about the proposed site, Dairo stated that it had been thoroughly assessed and deemed proximate to both the NRC narrow and standard gauge rail lines. The flat terrain was identified as ideal for a dry port, and its catchment area includes Lafarge and Dangote cement factories. The Commissioner also shared ongoing engagements with key stakeholders such as the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Nigeria Shippers Council, ICRC, and recent visits to the Nigeria Railway Corporation in Oyingbo, Lagos, where discussions with the Commissioner for Police and Nigeria Civil Defence took place to chart the way forward.

As Ogun State progresses in its pursuit of economic and industrial development, the Kajola Dry Port stands as a symbol of the government’s commitment to fostering job creation, attracting investments, and enhancing the overall economic landscape of the state. Infostride News remains dedicated to providing updates on the developments that will shape Ogun State’s emergence as a key player in Nigeria’s business and transportation sectors.