To attract more vessels of larger capacity into the nation’s ports, the Federal Government, at the weekend gave the nod for the maintenance dredging of the $1.5bn Lekki Deep seaport channel from its present 16.5metres to 17 metres in the first instance as it targets 19 meters depth.
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Abubakar Dantsoho, made this disclosure during a tour of the Lekki Port to consolidate transshipment volumes to landlocked neighboring countries.
The Managing Director of NPA was in the company of senior management staff of the Authority.
The NPA MD also paid a visit to the $19.5bn Dangote Petrochemicals Refinery, and met Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote.
According to Dantsoho, “The rise in throughput volume at Lekki Port is exciting to us. Lekki’s capacity to berth super post-panamax vessels and deliver rapid cargo and vessel turnaround positions is a game-changer for Nigeria’s export competitiveness, particularly for agro-allied products, as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) gains traction.
“The port’s efficiency is driving steady increases in transshipment numbers, meeting the maritime needs of neighboring countries and supporting NPA’s goal of achieving economies of scale.
“This enhanced competitiveness fuels demand, boosts foreign exchange inflows, and contributes significantly to Nigeria’s year-on-year trade surplus, reinforcing the national economy.
“So it’s very pleasing to note the rising export figures and we hope that the export volume is going to double or even triple in the nearest future. And because of that, we have to still reaffirm our commitment as NPA management to do what we can possibly do within our own powers and with the support of the Federal Government to ensure that this trend, this beautiful throughput trend you have shown us, continues to grow and increase.
“So what are we doing to ensure that this trend continues? We are doing about five things. Now, number one, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, with the recommendation of the Nigerian Port Authority has gotten the approval for the dredging of the channel at Lekki Port.
“This is something that we have been working towards, something that we’ve been discussing for almost two or three years. And finally, we give God the glory that it has happened. We have also syndicated a strategic partnership agreement with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) to undertake the dredging in the overriding interest of trade facilitation”.
