Amaechi wants Lekki Port commercial activity to commence by 2022
The Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi has tasked the promoters of the Lekki Deep Sea Port project on timely completion to ensure commencement of commercial activity come 2022.
Amaechi made this known during a monitoring visit to the Lekki Deep Sea Port site on Sunday, November 22, 2020.
The Lekki Deep Sea Port Project, slated to be Sub-Saharan Africa’s deepest port, and Nigeria’s first deep seaport is located at the Lagos Free Zone, Ibeju Lekki, Lagos.
The minister who led a high powered delegation that comprised of the Board Chairman, Managing Director and all Executive Directors of the Nigerian Ports Authority, the Director-General, Budgets of the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, as well as Directors of the Ministry, expressed profound appreciation to the promoters for playing their part in ensuring that the project moved at a frenetic pace which has seen it reach the level of development at which it is currently.
“I am highly delighted with the level of work done so far as the Lekki Deep Sea project construction is concerned,” Amaechi said.
“From what I can see, the construction is moving at the desired pace and a lot of progress has been made. This is wonderful.
“My profound appreciation goes to all the promoters for their efforts and unflinching commitment geared towards the realization of the project.”
While urging the promoters to ensure timely delivery of the project, the Minister assured Nigerians that the Buhari-led administration is fully committed to lending all necessary support as the project holds the key to Nigeria’s economic growth.
“The Federal Government cannot wait to see the project completed given the economic potentials that lie in wait,” he said.
“As a government, we are fully aware of what the project means to grow the economy. No doubt, the completion and eventual take-off of the Port for business operations would create thousands of jobs which would consequently boost GDP growth.”
In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited, Du Ruogang, welcomed the Honourable Minister and his delegation to the Lekki Deep Sea Port and assures him and all stakeholders that notwithstanding the delays occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic, he is very confident and assures all the stakeholders that Lekki Port will leave no stone unturned to ensure that the project is completed and delivered on schedule and to the set standard.
“We are grateful to our Honourable Minister for finding time to visit the site to assess the level of progress made on the project,” Ruogang said.
Also speaking after the site tour, Alhaji Bode Oyedele, one of the Directors on the Lekki Port board of directors representing Lagos State Government, expressed gratitude to the Minister for the visit, stating that this gesture has clearly shown that the Federal Government is a major and willing partner in changing the narrative of port infrastructure in Nigeria.
“I equally thanked the Honourable Minister for this visit. Nothing gives us excitement other than this because this goes to show that both Lekki Port and the Federal Government are sailing on the same ship to improve infrastructure in the maritime sector,” Oyedele said.
Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited is a special purpose vehicle through which the Lekki Deep Sea Port project is being delivered. The promoters of the project are China Harbour Engineering Company, Tolaram Group, Lagos State Government, and the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Nigerian Ports Authority.
The Guardian.
