President Muhammadu Buhari has on Monday in Lagos commissioned the $1.5 billion Lekki Deep Seaport located at the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos.
Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State Governor said at the commissioning that the new port is the biggest in West Africa.
He expressed joy that the execution of the project, which took off under Buhari’s administration, was completed during his tenure.
He noted that the multibillion naira project is a collaboration between the Federal Government, Lagos State Government and the private sector.
“We are indeed excited that the project execution started during your regime and it is now completed during your tenure,” Sanwo-Olu said.
Mohammed Bello-Koko, the managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), said the NPA dream has come true because Lekki Deep Seaport will be the deepest and most modern port in Nigeria with a depth of about 16.5 meters,
He said it will be able to bring in bigger vessels, and more cargo, achieve economies of scale and reduce the cost of doing business.
“It will also provide employment opportunities and it will be more efficient. It will also be a model for other upcoming deep sea ports in Nigeria. The NPA will be the regulator and we will be responsible for providing marine services. We have already gone ahead to purchase the necessary equipment that will ensure safe and secured berthing of vessels in this port.
“While sitting here, we already have interest from a certain neighbouring country that is already talking about moving their cargoes from Lekki to Kano and then to the African country because they have seen the opportunity of smooth operations and the efficiency here,” he said.
Tang Qiaoliang, chairman of China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd (CHEC), said that Lekki port is the first deep sea port in Nigeria, a major trade hub in West Africa.
He said it will improve the Nigerian port industry, ease the burden of cargo shipment flow, create employment, and ultimately promote international trade in the nation.
He said the company saw the opportunity in Nigeria, and believe in its potential. “So we committed the adequate financial investments and essential technology, together with Nigerians in the construction and operation of the port,” he said.
