‘Badagry And Lekki Ports Will Decongest Apapa’

BY FUNMI ALUKO

The Executive Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said that the Apapa ports district is soon to experience normalcy in terms of traffic flow and its associated challenges, following the commencement of commercial activities at the Lekki Deep Seaport and the upcoming Badagry Deep Seaport.

The CG and Lagos Governor in the middle, together with seniro officers of the service, and officials of the state government in a group photo

Governor Sanwo-Olu told the newly appointed Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, when the later paid him a courtesy visit yesterday, Tuesday, 25th July 2023 at the Government House Alausa, Ikeja Lagos.

ACG Hqtrs, Jibo, middle, Coordinator Zone A, Okun, right, and Compt. Oloyede, left, during the visit to the Lagos state house

Earlier, the Customs boss had informed the governor of the strategic nature of Lagos to the service’s operations, which he said controls 70 to 75 percent of the service’s total revenue collection. He assured the Governor of the Services’ commitment to operate within the framework of the law and supported his drive to make Lagos a mega city.

“We followed your attempt; you made serious efforts to make Lagos a smart city. The least we can do as a responsible Agency of Government is complement your efforts in your sustainable development programme.

“And in the very short time that I have been in Office, we started to review our various operations to ensure that they align with your vision of making Lagos work for Lagosians.

“We just secured a presidential approval to undertake decongestion at our ports, using a combination of public auction and transferring some of the containers to the Government Warehouse in Ikorodu”, adding:

“I’ve visited all the facilities and very soon, while working with all the stakeholders, we will be able to kick start this process and create the space necessary inside the port and around the premises of the port.”

While receiving the customs boss and his entourage, the governor congratulated Adeniyi on his appointment and pledged his commitment to continue to provide a good working environment for business to thrive; even as he hinted about the approval of the Badagry port, noting the proposed port will enhance the strategic economic importance of the state.

“I want to assure you that Lagos and Lagosians will continue to give you that hospitality where business can thrive and officers can do their work without fear or favour”, he said.

“I also need to inform you that there’s an approval for a Badagry port. The whole idea is to build strategic infrastructure for our citizens; Lekki is on the eastern part, Badagry is on the western part so that we can decongest Apapa and Tin-can that have stretched their capacity.

“These are some of the things that will ensure that investments come in, that will ensure that businesses can move in and out and we can begin to compete with some of the biggest and nice ports that we see all around the world.

“I believe it’s a collaborative effort. I equally believe it’s a work in progress that can improve the turnaround all around the ports”, he said.