The Federal Government has approved the rehabilitation of some ports facilities at the Lagos Ports Complex in Apapa, as part of an ongoing effort to increase available container stacking space and reduce periodic congestion of the nation’s mother port.
The project, which had already secured the approval of the Federal Executive Council at a cost of over $124.4 million (N20 billion), would be designed, built, used and transferred by Eko Support Services Ltd.
The company’s tenure, except renewed, is expected to lapse in 2032.
Disclosing this during the official commencement ceremony at the weekend, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Omar Suleiman, said the project, which ought to have been completed by now, but for paucity of funds, was particularly desirable because it would also lead to a significant increase in the capacity of the port to hold more containers by another 1.7 hectares.
“This is a project we ought to have done a long time ago. So, we are glad it is coming up now” declared the Managing Director, who was represented by the Executive Director, Engineering, Mr Sunny Nwobi.
He further explained that the N20 billion project, upon completion, would enable the widening and deepening of the Bull-nose area of the port to the Meridien Groove which would enable larger vessels to freely move through Apapa Port to the Tin Can Island Port as well as to Snake Island; with significant reduction of freight for shippers as well as a boost on employment opportunities.
“Our major task now” he further said, “is to ensure that the project commences and is completed on time, because the benefits are quite enormous. This project will increase the port’s stacking area capacity by another 1.7 hectares which is what we have been seriously looking for in Lagos, as this will assist in solving the congestion problems we used to have here in Lagos” he added, noting that the project would start with the extension and expansion of the relevant quay areas of the port, a task which goes beyond what the terminal operators could undertake.