As a member of one of the prominent families in Ijebu Ode, it is natural to be worried that the Olokola Project, which was initiated by former Governor Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State, in conjunction with Ondo State and the Federal Government in 2004, appears to be “porting” to Ondo State, even after the current Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun promised to revive it.
To be fair, former Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, whose alleged negligence caused the relocation of Dangote Refinery from Ogun State to Lagos State, actually expressed willingness to support the take-off of the Olokola liquified natural gas, harmonia and fertiliser plant between Ogun State, Ondo State and private interests, a euphemism for Dangote organisation.
Though he reportedly made 10,000 hectares of land available for the project, and appointed Dapo Abiodun, now Ogun State governor, and Lekan Onamusi, who replaced Ijebu Waterside indigene, Kemi Adeosun, who became Minister of Finance, the Ijebu kingdom still grudges Amosun for the relocation of Dangote Refinery and the stalled take-off of the Olokola project.
According to Amosun, the Federal Government, with 51 per cent stake, is the majority shareholder in the Olokola Free Trade Zone, while Ogun and Ondo states would have 14.5 per cent apiece. Aliko Dangote, the core investor, was supposed to own 20 per cent.
