The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the appointment of a company known as Alcuff to provide towage services at the Lekki deep seaport.
The Minister of State for Transportation, Ademola Adegoroye, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents after the weekly FEC presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Wednesday.
He said the concession, the value of which he did not disclose, will run for 10 years.
“So, because of the new Lekki Deep Sea Port and the Dangote Jetty, the need has arisen for a company that can carry out towage services to make things a lot easier and more effortless in the ports.
“Ship berthing will be easier, discharge of goods will be a lot easier. Of course, there was the argument that why would the company that provide such services at Apapa Port and Lagos Tin-Can Island Port not do it. We think that it will overstretch that company and because it would overstretch them, they will not be able to cope. They may not have the capacity to cope.
“Secondly, we want the Lekki Deep Sea Port and the Dangote Jetty to be able to perform maximally. So FEC agreed with us and has given a 10-year concession to that company, Messrs Alcuff, to carry out towage services at the Lekki Deep Sea Port and the Dangote Jetty,” he said.
Adegoroye also said the cabinet approved the sum of N495 million for the installation of scanners in all railway stations across the country.
“You will all agree with me that in view of the importance of the security of lives and property such equipment has to be installed at our railway stations.
“We are starting the railway revolution; we are trying to put in place a lot of things in the railways; we don’t want people to come and damage all that the government has been trying to put in place in that sector.
“So, today, there was a memo before the council for the provision of baggage scanners at railway stations and I am happy to inform you that the council agreed with us and approved that contract for scanners to be installed at railway stations.
“When people get there and they have goods, they can pass through the scanners and we can be sure that there is nothing that can cause violence or inflict danger or put lives and property at stake,” he said.
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