Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun affirmed that Tongeji Island is owned by Nigeria, adding that the Republic of Benin is not contesting the oil-rich enclave.
Abiodun made this revelation yesterday, during a courtesy call at his Oke-Mosan office in Abeokuta from Rear Admiral Mustapha Hassan, the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy.
The governor said that the island and its residents are entirely within Ogun State and have no ties to any other nation.
According to the governor:
“Tongeji Island is an area that has been under our radar. Sadly, I have not been able to visit. I have slated to visit several times. The former Chief of Naval Staff, at a point in time, wanted us to go with the former Flag Officer Commanding, but something happened that day, and we could not go.
“I raised the matter with the President of Benin Republic the two times I met him to let him know that Tongeji Island is a no-go area for them and he accepted that, contrary to what people are speculating. They are not contesting the island with us.
“I agree that we mark that area with our presence by providing services for the people. Regarding the Jetty that you mentioned, I will tell our Ministry of Works team to go there and take a look so that we can put a cost implication to that.
“You mentioned the issues of power, water supply, and Primary Healthcare Centre. We can immediately swing into action when we go there.”
“If we are claiming that it is our territory, they must see us providing some services for our people and this has been brought to the fore a few times that our people there are complaining that we are not looking after them. We will immediately begin to provide them with those services.”
cc: Vanguard Ng
