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The Edo State Government has secured preliminary approvals for financing the development of the Gelegele Port.

Governor Godwin Obaseki made this known while receiving the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Central Naval Command, Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral Saleh Usman at the Government House in Benin City, the Edo state capital.

He said, “With the feasibility study for the project almost completed, the state government has secured some preliminary approvals for financing of the project. We anticipate that by September, the state government would secure additional funding arrangement which will facilitate the actualisation of the project.”

Obaseki noted that the state would require a Naval Base to be sited close to the seaport to provide full security for the port.

He said, “There is the need for a Naval Base to be sited in the state to provide full security for the Gelegele project as soon as operations kick off in the area. As we make progress in actualising the Gelegele project, the need for a Naval Base in the state is apparent.”

The governor expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Navy for supporting the project, adding that officers and men of the Nigerian Navy have been providing security for the team of engineers working on the project site, even without a Naval base.

Obaseki urged the Nigerian Navy to do more by locating some of its social projects in the state such as schools, which would boost access to quality education in the state.

Earlier, Rear Admiral Usman said the Navy was ready to provide Edo State with all the support required to actualise its industrialisation vision through the Gelegele project.

Usman said, “The Gelegele seaport project is gigantic and would boost economic activities in the state as well as create jobs. The Naval authority is looking forward to working with the state government to site a befitting base and improve its operational activities in the state.”