Nigeria Minister pushes timeous project completion

Nigeria Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi tasked the promoters of the Lekki Deep Sea Port project situated in Lekki, Nigeria, with timely completion to ensure commencement of commercial activity by 2022.

Amaechi made this known during a monitoring visit to the Lekki Deep Sea Port site on November 22 last year.

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 Trade Zone (LFTZ), Ibeju Lekki, Lagos.

The Minister expressed profound appreciation to the promoters for playing their part in ensuring that the project moved at a frenetic pace which had seen it reach the current level of development.

“I am highly delighted with the level of work done so far with regards to the Lekki Deep Sea Port project construction. From what I can see, the construction is moving at the desired pace and a lot of progress has been made. This is really wonderful,” said Amaechi.

He added his profound appreciation to all the promoters for their efforts and unflinching commitment geared towards the realisation of the project.

While urging the promoters to ensure timely delivery of the project, the Minister assured Nigerians that the Buhari-led administration was fully committed to lending all necessary support as the project held 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.”

The government was fully aware of what the project meant to the growth of 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 gross domestic product growth, he pointed out.

In his address, Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited CEO Du Ruogang welcomed the Honourable Minister and his delegation to the Lekki Deep Sea Port.

He assured the Minister and all stakeholders that notwithstanding the delays occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Lekki Port team would leave no stone unturned to ensure that the project was completed and delivered on schedule and to the set standard.

“We are grateful to our Minister for finding time to visit the site to assess the level of progress made on the project,” said Ruogang.

Also speaking after the site tour, Lekki Port board of directors member Alhaji Bode Oyedele representing Lagos State government, expressed gratitude to the Minister for the visit, stating that this gesture had clearly shown that the federal government was a major and willing partner in changing the narrative of port infrastructure in Nigeria.

“I equally thank the Minister for this visit. Nothing gives us excitement other than this because it 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 construction firm China Harbour Engineering Company, diversified company Tolaram Group, Lagos State Government and the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Nigerian Ports Authority.