Federal Government has approved the initial maintenance dredging of Lekki Port channel from its present 16.5 metres to 17 metres.
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Abubakar Dantsoho revealed this at the weekend during his visit to the port, noting that government was targeting 19 meters depth.
He urged Lekki Port to consolidate transshipment volumes to landlocked neighboring countries. Dantsoho said: “The rise in throughput volume at Lekki Port is exciting to us.
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.
“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, he said had enhanced competitiveness fuels demand, boosts foreign exchange inflows and contributed significantly to Nigeria’s year-on-year trade surplus, reinforcing the national economy.
He added: “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.
“Because of that, we have to still reaffirm our commitment as NPA management to do what we can possibly do within our own powers and with the support of the Federal Government to ensure that this trend, this beautiful throughput trend you have shown us, continues to grow and increase.
“What are we doing to ensure that this trend continues? We are doing about five things. Now, number one, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, with the recommendation of the Nigerian Port Authority has gotten the approval for the dredging of the channel at Lekki Port.
“This is something that we have been working towards, something that we’ve been discussing for almost two or three years. And finally, we give God the glory that it has happened.
“We have also agreed that it is your company, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) that is going to do the dredging. CHEC is going to be the contractor for the dredging project.
“On a normal day, NPA will have used Lagos Channel Management (LCM) which is our joint venture company, where we are in control of 60 percent of the equity.
“But because we wanted to also enhance the relationship and make the partnership stronger, we accepted the idea that CHEC can go ahead and do the dredging.
“So I think that’s a clear indication of how serious and how supportive we can get when it comes to issues of Lekki Port.”
The managing director stated that Lekki Port was up to date with the technologies, saying that NPA was very happy about that.
Dantsoho added: “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. So I really appreciate that Lekki Port has done well in the area of technology deployment.”
On channel survey, he explained that the contract had been awarded, noting that it was a major requirement of the international port and harbour and navigation systems.
