The senator representing Ogun East at the National Assembly, Gbenga Daniel, on Sunday, disclosed that the Federal Government will soon commence exploration of bitumen in Ogun State.

Daniel said that the bitumen deposit which is the largest in Nigeria, was discovered by his administration while serving as governor of the state in Ijebu East Local Government Area.

He, however, said that the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has expressed its readiness to begin mining of the mineral resources soon.

The senator made this known while speaking in Ijebu Ife at the Midterm Community Assessment Review Tour of Ijebu East LG, Ogun East Senatorial District.

He explained that his administration had envisioned creating a whole new city for bitumen mining and exploration aimed to increase the economic prosperity of Ogun State.

Daniel expressed disappointment that the vision was stalled due to neglect by successive administrations in the state.

He informed his constituents that the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, has assured him that the bitumen wealth of Ijebu East will soon be put to productive use in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“During my time as governor of Ogun State, we discovered that Ogun East has the largest deposit of Bitumen anywhere in Nigeria. Our vision then was very clear: to create a whole new city for Bitumen mining and exploration which we believe would increase the economic prosperity and impact positively on the lives of the people living in the area. We envisioned this area bubbling with multinational investments, industries, jobs, and infrastructure, all driven by bitumen exploration and processing.

“Unfortunately, that vision stalled due to neglect after our administration. That is why I started by sympathizing with you because I understand your frustration and share in your hope for a new dawn.

I am in contact with, and delighted to inform you that the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, under the exceptional leadership of my friend and brother, Mr. Dele Alake, and in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has assured that the bitumen wealth of Ijebu East will soon be put to productive use. I have every confidence in that assurance because Dele Alake is not only a trusted colleague and friend of over four decades; he is a man of results”, Daniel stated.

The senator expressed belief that the FG will fulfill its promise on the bitumen exploration in Ogun East, emphasizing that the mining sector under President Tinubu has received greater attention, with the revenue from the solid minerals sector growing from ?6 billion to ?38 billion in just one year.

He noted that “the record-breaking transformation was driven by efficiency, transparency, accountability and by the President’s bold declarations that mining licences will only be granted to investors who commit to local processing and value addition as a means of creating jobs for our local population and industries to ensure that prosperity derives from mining stay within Nigeria.”

The senator, who rued the loss of Dangote Refinery initially situated in Ogun Waterside Local Government to Lagos State, emphasized that all hands must be on deck to ensure that the bitumen refinery is actualized in Ogun.

On the assessment review tour of Ogun East, Daniel said “the tour is not just a political rally, it is a listening and feedback session to hear from our people, assess our collective progress, and highlight ongoing efforts and federal policies that will bring tangible benefits to every community in our senatorial district”.

“The initiative is a hallmark of our movement, a system of accountability that allows your elected representatives, from the President to the National Assembly, to stay connected to the people we serve. It is about governance built on engagement, transparency, and results.

“More importantly, the review tour is to present the BATOGD Movement to our people as a grassroots political support base for the reelection of our President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general election,” he submitted. (The Sun)