The Federal Government has expressed concern over the absence of seamless evacuation of cargo at Lekki Deep Seaport when it becomes operational in the fourth quarter of this year.
The Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo expressed this worry during an inspection tour of the ongoing Lekki Deep Sea project over the weekend.
The minister, who was accompanied by the permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, directors in the ministry and other top management officials from the agencies, said: “We should aggressively address this. I don’t want us to rely on the roads because the roads are not the best ways of evacuation. Rail remains the best option”.
On the short-term modalities for evacuation cargo from the Lekki Port, Sambo stated that existing roads will be expanded and new ones constructed. He further informed that the Lagos State government has initiated and almost completed some of them.
Sambo confessed to being impressed that, in just 37 months, Nigeria has its first deep seaport and one of the largest in West Africa. He enjoined the Lekki Group to employ Nigerians to mitigate the harsh economic realities in the country.
The managing director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello-Koko stated that the Lekki Deep Seaport has set a template of standard and execution for emerging ports in the country.
He further added that automation is the unique selling point of the port, as it will change how clearing is done and reduce human interference to the “barest minimum”.
Furthermore, Koko said cargoes hitherto lost to neighbouring countries will be regained as Nigeria’s geographical position puts her at a comparative advantage over these countries, making it faster and much cheaper to use the port.
The managing director, Lekki Port, Du Ruogang said the port has reached 95.7 per cent completion and would be ready for commissioning in September this year.
He appreciated the Federal Government for approving the port to be connected by rail, adding that negotiations with the rail department of the ministry have been very encouraging.
Ruogang lauded the NPA for deploying marine services such as tug boats, pilots, lines, boats and harbour masters before the port commenced operations.
