The Nigerian Navy and Ogun government are to flag-off a naval base and dockyard at Ode-Omi in Ogun Waterside Local Council of the state.

Governor Dapo Abiodun, made the disclosure at his Oke-Mosan office, Abeokuta when he received the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Mike Oamen.

According to him, the ceremony is coming at a critical time when the state needed to strengthen its waterways to prevent hoodlums from taking advantage of the porous security situation in that corridor, as well as to protect the recently discovered hydrocarbon minerals (petroleum gas) in the area.

He said the siting of the naval base and dockyard in the state will further send a strong signal that the security architecture of Ogun had been strengthened to attract more investments.

The governor explained that the state was looking forward to the event, adding that it was important to have a naval presence in the state to ensure that unscrupulous elements do not waste the economic benefits in the horizon.

Abiodun promised that the access road to the naval base and dockyard would be ready by the end of the week.

His words: “We are looking forward to the ground-breaking ceremony. I have with me pictures of works that have been ongoing to allow us access the said property, and I am told that sometime by the end of this week, the access road that is being worked on by our Ministry of Works and Infrastructure will be fully accessible

“We are going further not just in making the place accessible, but actually preparing the site for the ground-breaking ceremony, and it will be a befitting preparation.

“This will allow us to underscore the importance that we attach to the Nigerian Navy, and how much we look forward to having their presence here to further complement our law enforcement architecture.”

In his remarks, Oamen commended the governor for the support he has been providing to the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies in the state.

He stated that it was necessary to assist the state government in ensuring security of its maritime space.