(Ecofin Agency) – Dependent on oil, the Nigerian economy has recently seen a diversification of sources of state revenue. From the concession of the country’s airports and highways to the construction of new ports, several structuring projects in various key activity sectors have been developed.
A batch of handling equipment consisting of three quay cranes (STS) and ten yard cranes (RTG) was delivered last Friday to the new Lekki port complex under construction. The receipt of this equipment indeed announces the forthcoming commissioning of this deep-water port scheduled for the last quarter of 2022.
« This provides insight into the path we are already taking to transform and facilitate trade to attract greater maritime traffic by ensuring the operationalization of more deep sea ports in Badagry, Ibom and Bonny said Mohammed Bello-Koko, Acting Chief Executive of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
The new platform planned to become the largest and most modern deep-water port in West Africa is an investment of around 1.65 billion dollars. In its operational phase, the infrastructure will be able to receive high-tonnage ships and handle up to 2.5 million TEUs per year.
This project, expected to provide a more effective solution to the problem of permanent congestion in the ports of Apapa and Tin Can Island, is also one of the government’s strategies to diversify the economy.
According to Abiodun Dabiri, Chairman of Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited, the project’s concessionaire company ” When this port is operational, it will add enormous value to the national economy, help diversify our currencies and transform the country’s trading landscape. ».