- * Declares Oguta, Ohaji/Egbema Oil, Gas Free Trade Zone
By Gloria Acholonu (Imo State Correspondent, in Oguta)
It was joy over-filled for the people of Oguta Ameshi Community in Orlu Senatorial Zone, Imo state, South East, Nigeria, as President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, flagged-off the Hydrographic Survey and dredging of the popular Oguta Lake and the Sea-route through Orashi River-Degema to the Atlantic Ocean.
Buhari also declared Oguta, Ohaji/Egbema and environs, an oil and gas Free Trade Zone, a request said to have been made to the President earlier by the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, which Buhari granted.
The Nigerian leader also affirmed the need by the Federal Government to establish a Naval Base in Oguta which the successful completion of the Oguta Lake dredging would give the Nigerian Navy the opportunity to deploy bigger vessels to patrol Oguta Community, the Atlantic Ocean and to the hinterland, thereby providing opportunity for wealth generation and other legitimate maritime activities in the area.
President Buhari was represented at the occasion by his Vice, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, who noted that, as far back as 1914, the British Colonial masters understood the strategic importance of the root in connecting the hinterland to the coast, utilized it to facilitate the smooth export of produce such as Palm Oil, Timber and Coal from Oguta and its neighbouring regions.
Buhari noted that the project will promote trade and investment and spur growth in multiple sectors, including shipping, manufacturing, agriculture and also offer numerous opportunities for the people.
The President said, “This proposed Free Trade Zone has one of the largest hydrocarbon deposit in the country. The synergy between the dredged Sea-root and the free trade zone will deliver enormous commercial benefits. Also with the dredging project, the Navy will be better equipped to protect our coast-lands, thereby curbing crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering and other criminal activities”, Osinbajo stated.
The Vice President assured Imo citizens of the continuous support of the federal government to see to the realization of the project. He made it clear that it will not be possible without the full support of the host community.
Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, in his address, expressed profound gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari, through whom he said God has made the glorious day possible and for so many things he has done for Imo State and the entire South East region. He said before delving into the main project being flagged off, several detailed surveys and preliminary studies were carried out.
Governor Uzodimma noted that in the early days of Nigeria, the axis provided basic economic platform for the entire Niger Delta people, but regretted that with advent of exploration of crude, illegal oil bunkarers and thieves took over the root, aided by the fact that the water was no longer deep enough, which made it difficult for security agents to employ the requisite ships to checkmate them.
“In a nutshell, the Hydrographic Survey and dredging which is a prelude to the clearance of the entire root will serve the dual purpose of engendering economic development and maritime security.
He assured President Buhari that the way the state government will achieve the project, with private partnership “may not be a magic but surely a miracle”, noting that many of his predecessors tried to realize the project for the benefit of Nigeria.
“However, this project could not take off, probably, because Muhammadu Buhari was not the President, and maybe because Admiral AZ Gambo was not the Chief of Naval Staff. It could also be because Hope Uzodimma was not the governor”, the governor enthused.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral AZ Gambo said in his speech, that the route is undoubtedly critical because successful completion of the dredging will provide the Nigerian Navy the opportunity to deploy bigger vessels to patrol the Atlantic Ocean to the hinterland and to Oguta, thereby providing opportunity for wealth generation and other legitimate maritime activities. Admiral Gambo assured the full support of the Nigerian Navy to the full realization of the Oguta project.
However, the Chief of Defense Staff, General Lucky Irabor, in his speech, appreciated Governor Uzodimma for understanding the critical role of the military to contribute beyond war fighting and assisting in internal security operations, but to also contribute in economic emancipation projects.
Meanwhile, some Indigenes of Oguta Ameshi have reacted to the new federal projects in the Community. Mr Shedrack Chuka Orjiakor, one of the indigene whose family were among the kindred that allegedly owned the land where the new Naval Base is to be located, told NIGERIAN NEWSLEADER Newspaper Correspondent that, "History is made in Imo State today with the flag-off of the Oguta Lake - Orashi Dredging to the Atlantic Ocean.
"This is a huge project that will change the maritime development of South East. I am quite delighted that our community (Oguta) is being made a Special Economic Zone by the federal government of Nigeria. Our governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma has really done well to attract this project here. He is also a citizen of this Orlu area, from Omumma community in Oru East, near Oguta. I am excited over this PPP project.
"For this project alone, governor Uzodimma, the Hope of Imo State, will be supported by ndi Oguta to go for a second term. I have been shouting about this kind of development. In those days, People were sending palm oil to Liverpool here. I join my good people of Oguta Local Government Area and Imo State to welcome the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo and his entourage for this historic event. I thank President Muhammadu Buhari for linking Oguta and Imo state to the Atlantic Ocean through the Ogbide (Oguta Lake - Orashi River waterways. I congratulate all ndi Imo", Shedrack Chuka Orjiakor stated.
Eminent Oguta, Orlu and Imo citizens were present to grace the occasion. Among them were, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu; the paramount ruler of Oguta Ameshi Community also referred to as 'Obodo giri giri' or 'Obodo Oma', His Royal Highness, Eze Igwe Nnani Ezeyiche Nzeribe and Engr. Ernest Nwapa, a pioneer Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
Others are Chief Okwudili Nwokocha; the extended family members of Obeagwa village, Oguta, who are the principal owners/bonfide owners of Enuigbo Osemotor Oguta III; the representatives and landlords of Obutu village, Oguta, who the government of Imo state acquired areas of their ancestral land for the establishment of the proposed Naval Base, and a large Number of Oguta Ameshi Community members, etc. (Additional report from newsleverage). NNL.
