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Lekki Seaport To Promote Healthy Competition Among Terminal Operators

By Anne Ejuka



The Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello-Koko has said the Lekki Deep Seaport will drive competition among terminal operators in the country's maritime sector.

Speaking with journalists at the tour of the Lekki Port by President Muhammadu Buhari, Bello-Koko, said the Port on operation will create competition and compel other terminal operators to double their efforts by reducing cargo dwell time at their terminals.

According to him, the Lekki Deep Seaport, which has been under construction for years, would be ready for test run in September, 2022, after which the first commercial vessel can be received at the port.

The port, which located on about 90 hectare of land according to the MD supposed to have three container terminals and will be the first automated port in Nigeria that will enable speedy cargo clearance.

The managing director noted that at commencement, the Lekki Port will reduce the rate of traffic at Apapa and Tin-Can Island Ports as there will be Ship-to-Shore cranes that will enable faster processing of goods thereby regaining lost businesses.
“Some of the businesses we have lost to other neighbouring West African countries due to draught limitation will be regained. There will be employment creation and increase revenue for government. It will create competition and compel other terminal operators to up their games to reduce cargo dwell time at their terminals.

Apapa and Tin-Can Island Ports have been operating far beyond their capacity which means that the excess cargoes that have been going there would be diverted to Lekki Port,” he explained.
On the connectivity of the port to rail line, Bello-Koko said there is already a plan and the Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi has given the Nigerian Railway Corporation NRC) a directive to carry out a survey on the possibility of linking the port to Lagos - Ibadan rail line.

Also speaking at the tour, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Hon. Emmanuel Jime, explained that the Lekki deep seaport will change the face of cargo operation in Nigeria.

“From the point of view of an economic regulator, it has been something we have been looking forward to. We have dreamt that this day would come for a number of very important reasons; We have to understand that because of the draught  we are going to have at Lekki Seaport and for the first time in our maritime domain, we are going to have the kind of vessels that have never berthed in our ports".

Continuing, Jime said, “So, this is the first deep seaport we are having in our country. From that perspective alone, that gives us the comfort and recognition that as far as the economies of scale is concerned, we are going to have a boost in commercial activities, in ways that we have never envisaged and experienced before.
“We, at the Shippers Council, are indeed very happy to see this port happening. Because of the automation that this port will provide, businesses will be conducted in a way and manner that is efficient and service delivery will be done in a way that it will be cost effective".


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