Ogun State Governor, Mr Dapo Abiodun, has cautioned residents of Tongegi Island and other parts of the state against attempts to sow division over ongoing oil exploration activities in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area.
Speaking while commissioning the Abeokuta–Obalende and Osinubi New Roads in Ijebu-Ode, the governor clarified that the oil exploration work is being handled by the Federal Government through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and not by the Ogun State Government.
He explained that some reports circulating in certain quarters wrongly linked the exercise to the state government, a claim he described as inaccurate and misleading.
According to Abiodun, although hydrocarbon deposits have been identified in parts of Ogun Waterside, including Tongegi Island, it is yet to be confirmed whether the deposits exist in commercial quantity.
The governor also dismissed allegations that funds meant for oil exploration had been diverted, describing such claims as politically motivated and intended to misinform the public.
He said the exploration followed reports of crude-like substances seeping from the ground, which led the NNPCL to carry out technical assessments in the area.
Abiodun noted that after preliminary tests, officials of the NNPCL informed him of possible oil discovery in the state, adding that drilling was required to determine commercial viability, a process approved by President Bola Tinubu.
On security, the governor disclosed that safety around the drilling site has been strengthened, with the establishment of a Naval Base close to the oil well to protect national assets.
He expressed concern over what he described as the misrepresentation of his remarks by some media outlets, saying it generated avoidable controversy.
Abiodun stressed that he never claimed that commercial drilling had started at Tongegi Island, but only pointed to encouraging signs that require further confirmation.
The governor further revealed that a Naval post has been set up on Tongegi Island, while approval has been granted by the Chief of Naval Staff for a Forward Operating Base to enhance Nigeria’s territorial security in the area.
