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NPA gets approval for $1bn Ondo deep seaport project

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The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) on Thursday in Lagos assured the nation that the one-billion-dollar Ondo State Multipurpose Deep Seaport project got all necessary approval for its implementation.

NPA’s Managing Director, Mr Mohammed Bello-Koko gave the assurance when he received visiting Ondo State Coordinator for Special Projects, Mr Boye Oyewumi, who submitted the Full Business Case for the port.

Located on the coast of Ondo State, the port project would be funded through a Public Private Partnership.

Receiving the case report, Bello-Koko assured that the NPA would work with the Federal Ministry of Transportation and with other relevant agencies to obtain approvals to enable the port to begin operations.

“The NPA has consistently restated its readiness to provide requisite technical guidance for the establishment of new ports in line with global best practices,’’ he said.

“In keeping with NPA’s commitment at creating an enabling atmosphere for the construction of more deep seaports, the Ondo State project will come to fruition,’’ Bello-Koko assured.

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Lekki Seaport to generate 170,000 jobs

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The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), says the Lekki multi-purpose seaport is expected to generate more than 170,000 direct and indirect jobs for Nigerians when completed.

The Lekki Deep Seaport was commissioned for operations by President Muhammadu Buhari GCFON on Jan. 23, 2023.

The Managing Director, NPA, Mohammed Koko, disclosed this during their Special Day at the ongoing 34th Enugu International Trade Fair, organised by the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines & Agriculture (ECCIMA), on Saturday in Enugu.

He said Lekki Deep Seaport was the deepest port in West Africa and would be a significant game-change in Nigeria’s Maritime economy.

Koko, represented by the Principal Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communication, NPA, Lagos, said they would strive to be the leading port in Africa, a dream that can be realized through a collective commitment of trade development drivers.

“We will continue to collaborate with our partners in the economic development of Nigeria and we consider ECCIMA as partners in the development of the Country.

“The Nigerian maritime industry is a prime economic driver, bearing in mind that 85 per cent volume of economic activities are delivered through the ports worldwide as Maritime transport remains the main gateway to the global marketplace.

“I am highly excited that ECCIMA has continued to provide platforms and opportunities fo Entrepreneurs to emerge and thrive,” Koko said.

The managing director further added that rail lines from the ports were being rehabilitated to ensure ease in the logistics chain.

“At the NPA, the Lilypond Terminal provides exporters the much-needed infrastructure to carry out their transactions at a reduced cost and time, thereby increasing their competitiveness in the international market.

“This is done to encourage the exportation of more locally-made goods, a move to boost non-export in the country and to ease supply chain constraints for export cargoes.

“We will continually give priority consideration to exportation of agricultural produce and Solid Mineral Resources which will in turn give exportation a boost in the nation’s economy,” he said.

Earlier, the President, Enugu Chamber of Commerce. Industry. Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Jasper Nduagwuike, while commending NPA for participating in the fair after few years of absence, said measures should be adopted to decongest Ports across the country.

He stressed that a lot still needed to be done because importers, especially from Southeast part of the country, were still experiencing undue delay and unwarranted bureaucracy in clearing their goods from Ports like Onne and Port Harcourt.

Nduagwuike, represented by the First Deputy President, ECCIMA, Odega Jideonwu, added that, “We don’t know when the apportioning of blames amongst operators in the sector would cease.

“They should evolve more pragmatic and proactive approaches in resolving these negating issues in the maritime sub sector which have continued to be clogs in the wheels of our progress and development,” Nduagwuike said.

He, however, commended the strategic role and commitment of the parastatal and the central role it plays in the socio-economic lives of the people, particularly in the development and facilitation of Commerce and Industry.

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Lekki Deep Seaport: Lagos reaffirms timely completion of road network

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reaffirmed government’s commitment to timely delivery of the road infrastructure around the Ibeju-Lekki axis to ensure seamless evacuation of cargo from the port.

Sanwo-Olu gave the assurance at the handover of the Nigeria Lekki Deep Seaport construction completion ceremony on Monday in Lagos.

Sanwo-Olu said that the project would provide 200,000 direct and indirect jobs in the next couple of months and years ahead.

Sanwo-Olu added that the project would boost the country’s revenue in form of taxes.

“The seaport will position Lagos, as the world maritime logistics hub, not only in West Africa but Central African region and will position Nigeria to attain full economic leadership potential under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.

“We, therefore, reassure everyone that we will stop at nothing to put the roads into completion as fast as possible to avoid any gridlock.

“We are urging the host community to remove all shanties on the road as the road will be turned into a six-way highway,” he said

Sanwo-Olu also assured investors that the government would work with them to ensure ease of doing business.

Also, Mr Biodun Dabiri, the Chairman, Lekki Port Board of Directors, noted that the project was a poster child for how effective global cooperation and collaboration could bridge the infrastructural gap in Nigeria.

Dabiri appreciated the Government of China which enabled China Harbour Engineering Company, China Development Bank to invest in Lekki Port, and President Muhammadu Buhari for providing an enabling environment for the nvestment to flourish.

“We are pleased to celebrate the completion of construction of the port and the effective handover of the facilities by Lekki Port from the EPC Contractor, China Harbour Engineering LFTZ Enterprise, a subsidiary of China Harbour Engineering Company.

“It has been a long journey of many steps. Starting from the time when Tolaram led by Pa Mohan Aswani sought to develop a deep sea port for the benefit of the Lagos Free Zone (LFZ), and indeed all of Lagos State and Nigeria.

“And to getting concession from the Nigerian Ports Authority for a unique private public partnership port; getting a loan facility from China Development Bank to the infusion of equity capital in the sum of $221 million,” he said.

He noted that the Lekki Deep Sea Port would contribute immensely to the growth of the Nigerian economy when fully inaugurated.

“The port will create about 170,000 direct and indirect jobs, generating approximately $361 billion during the period of the concession, and generating over $201 billion in revenue for both Lagos State and the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“The draft of 16.5 metres, means it can accommodate larger vessels which will automatically make Nigeria the trans-shipment hub of the region,” he said.

Mr Wu Di, the Vice President of CHEC, while announcing the completion of the port revealed that the total contract value of the EPC for the project’s first phase was 581 million US dollars.

He added that the completion of the construction would pave way for the container terminal operator, the Lekki Free Port Terminal (a subsidiary of CMA/CGM group), to take over the Port in readiness for the start of port operations.

In his goodwill message on behalf of Tolaram (promoter and shareholder), the Managing Director of Lagos Free Zone, Mr Dinesh Rathi, expressed delight at the timely completion of the construction of the port.

Rathi said that the port would further position the LFZ as the next frontier for investment in Nigeria and increase foreign direct investment to Lagos State and Nigeria.

The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Cui Jianchun, commended CHEC for displaying excellence in their project skills and promoting China’s commitment to Africa’s infrastructure development drive.

He noted that the project was a good example of what could be achieved when Nigeria and China cooperate, he looked forward to more of such projects.

Lagos-Seaport

Badagry Seaport project to create 250,000 jobs

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The Badagry Port Development Ltd (BPDL), promoters of the newly approved Badagry Deep Seaport project, says the project under a Private-Public Partnership will create 250,000 jobs.

Mr Oludele James Clinton, the Project Manager, BPDL, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.

Clinton described the project as a strategic step toward the development of Nigeria as a global maritime hub.

“The project will generate $53.6 billion in revenue and create about 250,000 jobs; while making Nigeria a maritime hub in West Africa.

“Nigeria is strategically located at a significant point in the Atlantic Ocean, with about 853 kilometres coastline, which gives us a geographic advantage to become a maritime hub for not only the West and Central African region, but also the entire maritime trading world.

“And with over 70 per cent of cargo bound for West and Central Africa destined for Nigeria, the country also has a huge commercial advantage.

“The Seaport planned to be Africa’s biggest and most advanced seaport when it becomes operational,” he said.

Clinton added that the project would help to maximise the maritime potential.

“It would help to maximise this extraordinary maritime potential, more so given the strategic location of Badagry in the region,” he said.

Clinton quoted the Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, as saying that under a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer delivery system, the port would be operated by the private sector for 45 years after which it woild be reverted to the government.

Sambo said, “I presented a memo today at council with respect to the development of the Badagry Deep Seaport under the public-private partnership arrangement.

“The private sector will inject money for the development of the port and at the end of the concessionary period, the port reverts to the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Nigerian Ports Authority.

“The project cost as contained and approved in council based on the final business case as approved by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission in line with extant laws stood at $2.59 billion.

“This is to further the government’s goal of making Nigeria the maritime hub of the West and Central Africa sub-region.

“This project, it may interest you to know, will also generate total revenue of over $53.6 billion over the concession period,” he said.

Speaking on the strategic importance of the port, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said Project is not just one project.

“It is a multi-level opportunity for progress for all the people of this State in view of the volume of trade and quantum of investment opportunities that would spring up in the area when the project commences, and when it is completed and operational.

“Very importantly, employment and capacity building for the teeming youth and women in the affected communities will be prioritised.

”The port will also include facilities for handling containers, dry bulk, liquid bulk, roll-on-roll-off, and general cargo, as well as oil and gas operations support,” he said.

The concession was granted to Badagry Port Development Limited (BPDL).

BPDL is wholly owned by Quinn McGrath Marine & Environmental Services Ltd (QMMESL), an indigenous formidable maritime investment subsidiary of the Quinn McGrath Group.

Lagos-Seaport

Stakeholders laud approval of $2.59bn Badagry Deep Seaport project

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Some stakeholders in Badagry on Thursday lauded the Federal Government’s approval of $2.59 billion for the development of the Badagry Deep Seaport project under Private Public Partnership.

They said in Badagry that the move was a good development in the socioeconomic development of the town and the country, at large.

The Federal Government, on Wednesday, approved the sum of $2.59 billion for the development of the Badagry Deep Seaport project under a Private Public Partnership.

The Minister of Transportation, Mr Mu’azu Sambo, disclosed this to tge State House Correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Sambo explained that, under a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer delivery system, the port would be operated by the private sector for 45 years after which it would be reverted to the government.

He noted that the project would generate $53.6 billion in revenue and create about 250,000 jobs; while making Nigeria a maritime hub in West Africa.

Mr Muhammed Sodipo, the Chairman Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Badagry Branch, said the project was long overdue.

Sodipo added that it would bring the long expected development in Badagry and it’s environs.

“Commercial activities will increase rapidly while legal and lawful transactions and businesses will flourish. Smuggling activities will be a thing of the past.

 “However, the approval is not enough, but the project must be seen to be implemented and not abandoned,” he said.

Similarly, Mr Tunde Hunpatin, the Secretary, Coconut farmer Association, Badagry, said that it was a good news for the good people of Badagry.

“We received the news with joy and happiness, after staying this far to hear such soul soothing information.

“In actual fact, the announcement is long overdue as this will sustain the confidence and the belief of the masses and the reality of the project .

“The approval granted by the Federal Executive Council is a confirmation that the project shall see the light of the day,” he said.

To Mr Kamarudeen Ajape, the former Secretary, Badagry Local Government, the project would be the greatest catalyst that would propel high economic activities which would aid the overall growth and development of Badagry, Lagos State and the country at large.

Also, Mr Podo Sunday, a maritime expert, said he hoped the approval would supersede previous periodic approvals where nothing happens.

“The project has dragged on for too long and people were already getting apprehensive of a possible policy somersault on the part of government.

“But the announcement by Federal Government on Wednesday, is like hope rekindled for both residents of Badagry and the maritime sector of Nigeria.

“The era of port congestion at the Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports will become a thing of the past.

“The socio-economic growth and transformation of Badagry is dawned and we hope the project do not suffer further delay,” he said.

Also speaking, Mr Edomi Ovie, a journalist and former Publicity Secretary,

Association of Communication Scholars  and Professionals of Nigeria, said the approval was in the right direction.

“Firstly, the Badagry Deep Seaport project will be executed under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) scheme, meaning the private sector will inject money into the port and manage it for 45 years.

“Secondly, it will help to reduce the use of neighbouring countries seaports by importers and clearing agents.

“Also, the Badagry seaport will make Badagry, the ancient town known for tourism, to become an economic hub in Lagos and that by itself will create a lot of job opportunities.

“The project will enable commercial activities along the coastline to receive a boost and the impact of such efforts on the economy and the citizenry are always enormous,” he said.

Similarly, Mr Felix Godonu, the President, Hengo Badagry Association, said all stakeholders were happy because the project would set Badagry on the part of development.

“The project promoters should ensure that stakeholders are carried a long in the areas of compensation, employment, empowerment, security, environmental protection, provision of social infrastructure.

“Our expectation now is to see the promoters of Badagry Deep Seaport swing into action by ensuring proper compensation and relocation of affected people as promised by the promoters then other steps of development the project can follow,” Godonu said.

lekki seaport

Buhari approves Lekki Deep Seaport as Custom Port, Wharf

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President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the designation of Lekki Deep Seaport as a Customs Port and Approved Wharf.

This is contained in the official Twitter handle of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) on Friday.

It stated that the Managing Director, Mr Mohammed Bello-Kokoin, in a letter through the Ministry of Transportation, secured the approval for the port to be gazetted in line with extant laws.

With the approval and level of preparedness, the port is set for berthing commercial vessels before year-end.

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Amaechi commends pace of work on Lekki Deep Seaport

The Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, has commended the pace of work on the Lekki Deep Seaport project, and expressed hope that services would commence at the port by the last quarter of 2022.

The minister, who undertook an assessment tour of the port site on Sunday, described the level of construction work as “very impressive”, and commended the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for availing the contractors the necessary support.

The minister, who was accompanied by the Acting Managing Director of NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko, and Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers Council, Mr Emmanuel Jime, charged the contractors to sustain the tempo of work.

He specifically enjoined them to re-double their efforts to ensure that the scheduled inaugural date and commencement of cargo operations was achieved, and reminded them of President Mohammadu Buhari’s commitment to delivering efficient port services, in line with international best practices.

Speaking to the project contractors on his observations, he said: “the last time we came, there was no quay wall, just the breakwaters. But today, there are many visible improvements.

“It doesn’t mean that you have delivered; it simply means you will achieve it. The last time we came, your chairman said it wasn’t possible, and I told him wait and see, if it’s not possible, then you know that I am not Minister of Transport.

“We are supposed to commission by September, which is in the old agreement, but if you double your efforts on this job, we can commission (it) by July”.

In his remarks, Mr Laurence Smith, the Chief Operating Officer of Lekki Port/Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFTZ), thanked the minister for the visit, and appealed for increased government support on the construction of access roads to the port location.

He also emphasised the need to link the port to the national railway grid.

Smith acknowledged the support and synergy provided by the NPA management, especially in the procurement of Vessel Tracking System (VTS) for the Lekki channel and other port locations in the country, two 80 tons bollard pull ASG Tugboats, and two pilot boats for deployment to the Lekki Deep Seaport.

Meanwhile, Mr Ibrahim Nasiru, General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications of the NPA, has said that the port would have a truck parking area with a capacity for 300 trucks to avoid indiscriminate parking of trucks on the access road to the port when it becomes operational in the next few months.

In a statement on Sunday, he said that the terminal area, the Customs Building, would have a full-fledged examination bay for proper inspection before trucks are allowed to evacuate the area.

There is also a dedicated area for impounded goods, he added.

It added that construction is ongoing for reefer connections to handle perishable commodities, and erection of light masts which would be 25m high, so that the whole area is fully lit 24hrs daily.

Dredging and reclamation work is now at 89.93 percent completion, quay wall 85.65 percent completion, breakwater 79.66 percent completion, land-side infrastructure, 6.82 percent completion, thus bringing total works carried out on the project to approximately 80 percent completion, the statement added.

Equity owners of the Lekki Deep Seaport are Tolaram Group, China Harbour Engineering Company, Lagos State Government and NPA, (on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria).

The project, on completion, will be a world class multi-purpose facility, serving as a regional distribution and trans-shipment hub for West and Central Africa.

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Escravos Seaport to attract $50bn FDI, decongest Lagos ports

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The proposed Escravos Seaport Industrial Complex (ESIC-1) in Delta State, would attract about $50 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) to Nigeria and help to decongest the Lagos ports.

Mercury Maritime Concession Company (MMCC) Limited, the promoter of the $2.9 billion Complex (ESIC-1) , said it would not only decongest the Lagos ports but would bring in more people into the maritime industry.

The chairman of MMCC, Rear Admiral Andrew Okoja, (rtd), at a stakeholders’ forum held in Lagos reported that the Escravos Seaport project would be on 30,000 hectares of land in South West of Warri.

The project would generate about 40,000 jobs upon completion and eliminate criminality such as piracy in the region, especially as the Nigerian Navy would be present to protect the business.

Read More in the Guardian

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Lekki deep seaport will change Maritime economy

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Nigeria has reported that the Lekki Deep Seaport will be a significant game-changer in Nigeria’s Maritime economy with corresponding benefits to the West and Central sub-regions of Africa.

The  Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Dr Magdalene Ajani, said in a statement after she led a Ministerial Team on a quarterly inspection of progress of work on the Lekki Deep Sea Port in Lagos.

According to her,  the Port is designed to be the deepest port in West Africa.

The inspection comprised of an audio-visual briefing by the management of Lekki Port Enterprises, the contractors (China Harbour Engineering Co. Ltd) and the Project Managers (Louis Berger Intl.) as well as a physical inspection of the works on site.

Ajani said the developers were working assiduously to meet the deadline of fourth quarter 2022 for commencement of commercial operations as directed by the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.

The permanent secretary was accompanied on the inspection by the Director, Maritme Services, Awal Suleiman, Director, Legal Services, Pius Oteh, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Hassan Bello.

Others include the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, Hadiza Bala- Usman, Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Bashir Jamoh and other technical officers from the Ministry and the Agencies.

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Company proposes $2.9b seaport at Escravos, Delta

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Moses Uwagbale

The Mercury Maritime Concession Company (MMCC) has unveiled plans to establish a $2.9 billion  seaport at Escravos, Delta, to decongest Lagos ports.

The Chairman of MMCC, Rear Adm. Andrew Okoja, made the disclosure at a stakeholders forum for the proposed Escravos Seaport Industrial Complex (ESIC – 1) project.

The forum held in Lagos.

Okoja said that the project was at its preparatory stage, but gave the assurance that within five years, it would be completed.

“MMCC is the promoter of the Escravos Seaport Industrial Complex (ESIC-1) project;  this is a maritime-driven project cited in Escravos in Delta, on approximately 31 hecters of land.

“This project will consist of a deep seaport, others and a platform to drive resources from one point to another.

“We went into this project because we have the capacity, experience and connections; we decided to deploy them to solve the maritime problem of the country,” he said.

Okoja said the project would run on a Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) model and would be on lease for about 50 years with all the $2.9 billion dollars funding coming from overseas.

He further said that the project was expected to create about 30,000 to 40,000 jobs for the people in  surrounding communities and would  tackle piracy and militancy in Niger Delta.

He said the company had received a provisional approval from the Federal Ministry of Transportation, which  asked it to lodge in $1 billion dollars as evidence of  capacity and commitment to follow due process.

“As a form of support, government is bringing land; we will pay for it and then we will pay our tax. The Nigerian Ports Authority’s role is that of monitoring,” he said.

Prof. Charles Asenime, a transport consultant, said that the proposed $2.9 billion seaport would   boost economic  development.

He listed the project component to include a deep seaport, free trade zone, crude oil refinery and gas complex.

Others are industrial layouts, an independent power plant, a nature conservation park, an international airport and development of prime infrastructure, new towns and cities.

Asenime said the benefits of the seaport would include boosting employment opportunities, giving Delta direct multimodal transport accessibility to 70 per cent of Nigeria’s land mass, four geo-political zones and Abuja, and littoral nations of the world.

He listed other benefits as transformation of the coastal/foreshore line between Benin River into prime lands for seafront property development, and support for the African Continental Free Trade Agreement  operations, among others.

“We are praying for the Federal Government to grant MMCC licence to develop ESIC-1 project, partner to develop it and grant concession to develop ESIC-1 at the current Escravos project location,” he said.

Mr Philippe Droesbeke, Manager, Port Projects, Port of Antwerp International, said that the company was acting as consultants to the project, laying out plans and ensuring that its feasibility study was done.

“We are happy to put our experience to the development of the project,” he said.

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