The Federal Government on Thursday pledged to fast-track the establishment of the seaport in Bayelsa through Public Private Partnership for infrastructural development.
Mr Rotimi Amaechi made the pledge when the Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.
He reassured Dickson that he would look into the three demands brought before him.
“We will do everything possible to fast track the approvals of the seaport for you, therefore, you need to go and look for investors.
“Seaports is about Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative and we must encourage PPP.
” I guarantee that all necessary approvals will be given to you by my ministry, your job is to look for the investor and our job is to provide all the necessary facilities that is needed.
“I can guarantee you in line with the resolution of the Federal Government to encourage infrastructural development, my ministry will give you all necessary approvals required for the project.
“Even the ones that don’t involve my ministry, we will do everything possible to facilitate them,” he said.
Amaechi said that he will ensure that the ministry provides all the necessary mechanisms for the investment.
The Minister commended the governor for his effort toward infrastructural development in the state, stating that it’s not easy because it’s a riverine area.
“I thank you for coming to discuss issues concerning seaport and airport, there is need to invest in the reclamation of land in Bayelsa because the state is surrounded by water.
“We have more rivers and cricks everywhere in Bayelsa, I praise you a lot for being able to carry out development projects because you have to first reclaim land before carrying out the projects.
“The cost of development in Bayelsa triple many states in the federation, I am not known for praises but I praise you for fighting those challenges that has to do with the development in the riverine areas,”
Earlier, Dickson said his visit was to share the initiatives of the state in terms of transportation infrastructure and solicit for Federal Government support.
According to him, the state is making serious investments in transport by building a 3.5 kilometers runway airport, the process of building a deep seaport and the need of railway in the area.
“ I commend the Federal Government and your ministry for what they are doing in terms of activating core programmes and initiatives on railways.
“ The railways that you are constructing should get to Bayelsa state, as part of the wonderful railway connectivity project of the Federal Government.
“I am here to solicit the cooperation, partnership and collaboration of this ministry, all other federal agencies and related ministries in terms of how the airport, seaport and rail can be put to very effective and beneficial use.”
He urged every leader, irrespective of partisan differences, that when elections are over, politicians and leaders should set aside political differences and concentrate on development and serve the people.(NAN)