President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved seven roads worth $700 million to boost business activities and logistic services at the Lekki Deep Sea Port.
This is part of the concerted efforts of the present administration to continuously support noble investor efforts such as the Lekki port and others to optimise the rich “Blue Economy” inherent in the nation’s maritime domain.
The Chairman, Lekki Port, Abiodun Dabiri, made this known, yesterday during the berthing of the largest container carrier to sail on Nigerian territorial waters at the Lekki Deep Seaport. The vessel, christened ‘Maersk Edirne’, measures 367M in length and a breadth of 48.2. It was laden with a Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) of 142,131metric tonnes and a Dead weight Tonnage (DWT) of 147,340 metric tonnes, constituting 3,376 total cargo onboard. It was navigated to safety by pilots of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
The Executive Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu was the special guest of honour at the occasion, affirmed that the accomplishment of Lekki Port in berthing the largest LNG-powered container vessel, CMA CGM SCANDOLA, within just one year, has enshrined the names of Lagos and Nigeria as significant players in global port transactions. He further noted that the grand arrival of the vessel was a milestone that positions Lagos as a major mover in the world’s maritime trade.
The governor underscored the need for expanded infrastructure, applauding the choice of Lekki as a home for the Lekki Freeport or Lekki Deep Port. According to him, the vision for the state extended beyond the current achievement, because Lagos is envisioned as a pivotal hub not only for West Africa but for Central and potentially South Africa in the realm of logistics and container terminals.
He reiterated the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu economic goals, emphasising the crucial role of maritime and port business in driving the nation towards a $1 trillion economy by 2030. “I think it’s a big feat. It’s something that we really need to roll out drums and get proud of because indeed, we are putting Lekki Freeport, we’re putting Lagos, we’re putting Nigeria into the world’s global logistics marine business.
“This is a business that has been a privilege to a few countries, developed countries in America, in Europe, in the Far East, in some parts of Africa as well. But now, given the size of the business that can come to our community, the Lekki Freeport and the Lekki Port itself has put and enshrined our name as one of the big movers of port transactions in the world.”
Speaking earlier, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola who was represented by the Managing Director Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) Mohammed Bello Koko commended the promoters of the Lekki Deep Seaport and its eco-friendly measures, aligning with global efforts to reduce carbon intensity in international shipping. The Minister also praised the NPA’s compliance with the Ministerial directive to embrace global energy transition in its port modernization project.
He emphasised the pivotal role of shipping in global decarbonisation efforts, citing the IMO’s strategy aiming for a 40 per cent reduction in carbon intensity by 2030.
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He commended Lekki Deep Seaport for not only being Nigeria’s first Deep Seaport but also the first fully automated port, aligning with international standards.
Oyetola also shed light on the importance of Lekki Port’s natural depth, state-of-the-art equipment, and robust infrastructure, which positions it as a mega transshipment hub with a capacity of up to 1.2 million TEUs in its initial phase.
“The Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is convinced that shipping has a pivotal role to play in global decarbonisation efforts, this is why I will like to seize this moment to commend the Management of the Nigerian Ports Authority’s compliance with the Ministerial directive to take cognizance of global energy transition in its port modernization project by deliberately factoring in measures that promote energy efficiency.
He said also that “to put action behind our word, we have taken concrete steps towards the procurement of necessary tools to enhance NPA’s capacity for Sulphur analysis as well as put in place a sanction regime for vessels who contravene the Sulphur regulations. This is driven by in the larger national interest due to the fact that Nigeria’s gas quality is reputed to be high and virtually without Sulphur. I have said all of these to show that we align with the global discourse which posits that the reduction in the use of heavy hydrocarbons and increasing the use of LNG in maritime transport could help reduce carbon dioxide emissions and other pollution arising from international trade,” Oyetola said.
In his address, the Managing Director of Lekki Deep Seaport, Du Rougang, said that the berthing of the vessel is creating a new plan for Nigeria’s ports. “We want to ensure that Lekki Port plays a major role in the nation’s maritime industry, “ he said.