To attract more vessels of larger capacity into the nation’s ports, the Federal Government, at the weekend gave the nod for the maintenance dredging of the $1.5bn Lekki Deep seaport channel from its present 16.5metres to 17 metres in the first instance as it targets 19 meters depth.
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Abubakar Dantsoho, made this disclosure during a tour of the Lekki Port to consolidate transshipment volumes to landlocked neighboring countries.
The NPA MD also paid a visit to the $19.5bn Dangote Petrochemicals Refinery, and met Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote.
According to Dantsoho, “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.
About The Author
