Dagbolu Dry Port tops Oyebamiji’s economic revival plan for Osun

 

By Maureen Aguta

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Osun State, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, has unveiled an ambitious economic recovery agenda anchored on the revival of the long-abandoned Dagbolu Inland Dry Port and the Osun Free Trade Zone, describing the projects as critical to transforming the state into a major industrial, logistics and investment hub.

Oyebamiji, a former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), made the pledge on Saturday in Osogbo while receiving members of the Coalition of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria during a courtesy visit facilitated by the Waterfront Boat Owners and Transporters Association of Nigeria (WABOTAN).

Presenting his development blueprint, tagged “Osun Prosperity Agenda: A Pact for Growth, Inclusion and Lasting Development,” the APC flag bearer said his administration would focus on unlocking the economic value of dormant strategic assets to accelerate industrialisation, expand employment and improve the state’s internally generated revenue.

He identified the Dagbolu Inland Dry Port, Osun Free Trade Zone, Ido-Osun Airport, Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove and Oba Hills National Park as priority projects that would be revived through strategic public-private partnerships and investment-friendly policies.

According to him, restoring operations at the Dagbolu Dry Port and the Free Trade Zone would strengthen trade facilitation, improve logistics services, attract manufacturers and exporters, and position Osun as a competitive commercial gateway in Southwest Nigeria.

“We will resuscitate strategic economic assets that have the capacity to transform Osun’s economy, stimulate private sector investment and create wealth for our people,” Oyebamiji said.

Beyond infrastructure renewal, the former NIWA chief promised a business-friendly administration that would strengthen the Osun State Investment Promotion Agency, establish industrial parks with modern infrastructure and implement reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business.

He also pledged to deepen support for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through expanded access to microcredit, grants and business development services, while scaling up entrepreneurship programmes targeted at youths and women.

On employment and social welfare, Oyebamiji said his government would introduce labour-intensive public works schemes and enterprise support initiatives to generate sustainable jobs, particularly for young people.

He further promised prompt payment of workers’ salaries, improved welfare packages and targeted social intervention programmes to cushion the impact of economic hardship on vulnerable residents.

The APC candidate also outlined plans to modernise schools, recruit and train teachers, strengthen technical and vocational education, expand apprenticeship schemes and improve healthcare delivery through strategic partnerships aimed at achieving universal health coverage.

He described the Prosperity Agenda as a social contract with the people of Osun, driven by prudent leadership, private sector participation and inclusive economic growth.

Speaking during the visit, President of WABOTAN, Comrade Tope Fajemirokun, expressed confidence in Oyebamiji’s leadership credentials, citing his achievements as Managing Director of NIWA.

Fajemirokun said the APC candidate’s experience in infrastructure development and inland waterways administration could position Osun as a major player in Nigeria’s emerging blue economy.

He noted that tourism assets such as the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove and Erin-Ijesha Waterfalls, if properly developed alongside water transport infrastructure, could significantly boost tourism, investment and employment across the state.