Dantsoho, NPA CEO Task Lekki DSP On Regional Hub Status

…As FG Approve 17m Draft Maintenance Dredging

BY EGUONO ODJEGBA

In a bid to improve the level of competitiveness of Lekki Deep Seaport among the biggest and busiest within the West African sub-region, the Federal Government has approved maintenance dredging of the seaport channel from its present 16.5metres to 17metres in the first instance as it targets 19 meters depth.

R-L: Port Manager, Lekki Port, Mr. Emmanuel Anda; Managing Director, Lekki Port, Mr. Qiang Wang; Chairman, Governing Board, Lekki Port, Mr. Abiodun Dabiri; Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho; Executive Director, Finance and Administration, NPA, Vivian Richard-Edet; when NPA visited Lekki Port on Saturday.

Disclosing this over the weekend during his maiden visit to Lekki port, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho in the company of senior management staff of the Authority, urged Lekki Port to consolidate transshipment volumes to landlocked neighboring countries.

The NPA boss said the rise in throughput volume at Lekki Port is exciting for the nation as Lekki’s capacity to berth super post-panamax vessels and deliver rapid cargo and vessel turnaround positions is a game-changer for Nigeria’s export competitiveness, particularly for agro-allied products, as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) gains traction.

His words: “The port’s efficiency is driving steady increases in transshipment numbers, meeting the maritime needs of neighboring countries and supporting NPA’s goal of achieving economies of scale.

“This enhanced competitiveness fuels demand, boosts foreign exchange inflows, and contributes significantly to Nigeria’s year-on-year trade surplus, reinforcing the national economy. So it’s very pleasing to note the rising export figures and we hope that the export volume is going to double or even triple in the nearest future.

“So what are we doing to ensure that this trend continues? The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, with the recommendation of the NPA has gotten the approval for the dredging of the channel at Lekki Port.”

He equally disclosed that the Authority has also syndicated a strategic partnership agreement with China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) to undertake the dredging at the cost of $1.5 billion in the overriding interest of trade facilitation.

On automation, the NPA boss thumbed up Lekki Port efficiencies in facilities and technologies required for a modern port, and he expressed delight that the port met the expectations of the federal government.

“The technology that is here will be part of the main requirements for the deployment of the port community system, which is a precursor for keying into the National Single Window.

“We are hoping that other port locations or other terminals will very soon also have 100 percent capability in terms of technology deployment so that once we deploy the Port Community System, keying into it would not be an issue. I really appreciate that Lekki Port has done well in the area of technology deployment.”

The NPA Managing Director also singled out Lekki Port Manager, Emmanuel Anda, for praise as the seaport continues to record increase in throughput, assuring that the regulatory authority would look into the needs highlighted by the Port Manager.