The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello Koko, joined the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, on a tour of the Lekki Deep Sea Port on September 6, 2023. The purpose of the visit was to harness the port’s competitive advantages and accelerate its journey toward becoming a prominent maritime hub in Africa.
The Lekki Sea Port, known for its world-class facilities, boasts distinctive features that set it apart in the African maritime landscape. These include advanced automation, state-of-the-art drive-through scanners, and Super Post-Panamax size and store cranes, among other modern amenities. These facilities are strategically designed to expedite cargo handling and vessel turnaround times, enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness in international markets, particularly for exports like agricultural products.
One noteworthy development is the recent acquisition and deployment of two Azimuth Stern Drives by the NPA, marking the first of their kind in Africa. These cutting-edge marine assets are set to equip the Lekki Port with enhanced marine services capabilities, further elevating its status in the global maritime arena.
Minister Oyetola expressed his admiration for the world-class facilities at the Lekki Port during the tour. He pledged the unwavering commitment of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to fully harness the potential for national prosperity that lies within the Lekki Deep Seaport.
This visit to the Lekki Port follows closely on the heels of the minister’s previous tours of the Lagos and TinCan Island port complexes. These visits underscore the pivotal role played by the Nigerian Ports Authority in translating President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s vision for national prosperity into reality.
However, during discussions with reporters, Minister Oyetola also raised a concern about the backlog of approximately 6,000 cargoes languishing at various ports across Nigeria. He indicated that steps would be taken to address this issue, which may include the auctioning of these cargoes to the general public.
In addition to developments at the Lekki Deep Sea Port, the Nigerian Ports Authority has recently inaugurated modern control towers for port complexes in Lagos. These investments underscore the NPA’s commitment to enhancing efficiency through bold infrastructure and equipment upgrades. The NPA emphasizes that safety and security are fundamental prerequisites to achieving its strategic goal of becoming the maritime logistics hub for African ports.
As Nigeria continues to invest in its maritime infrastructure and streamline its port operations, the country is poised to play an increasingly significant role in the global shipping industry, ultimately contributing to national prosperity and economic growth.
