President Muhammadu Buhari has flagged off the construction of the Lekki Deep Sea Port in Lagos on Thursday, stating that the Federal Government would give the needed support to the project.
The President, who was represented by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, noted that the project would become one of the largest seaports in the region, and serve as a hub for port operations in the whole of West Africa.
According to Buhari, the seaport, once completed, is designed to influence the generation of up to 170,000 direct and indirect jobs in the economy.
He said, ”It is a landmark project for several reasons — the promoters of this project are targeting, we are told, about 1.5 million TEUs (Twenty Equivalent Units) container capacity annually, which they expect to grow to about 2.7 million and 4.7 million TEUs when the project commences.
”With this feat, this seaport will become one of the largest in our region and serve as a hub for ports operations in the whole of West Africa.
”There is no question at all that the project will be the largest in Sub-Saharan Africa and possibly, the largest in Africa.
”I’m also told that the promoters also plan to dredge the port channel to about 16metres draft, which is not currently obtainable in any sea port or any port for that matter in the country.
”This, in itself, is an indication that ships of larger sizes will now be able to visit the port, and greater efficiency and economies of scale will generate significant revenues for the Nigerian economy, with government earning a significant portion of it.”
According to Buhari, a second reason why the port’s construction is a landmark event is with respect to the government’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) and its emphasis on supporting game-changing infrastructure projects directed at making major impact on trade and commerce.
”We are developing the Lekki Special Economic Zone as a model special economic zone, specifically targeting exports. The development of this deep-sea port is mission-critical to the achievement of the important objective of creating this special economic zone.
”So, the third reason is the commitment of our economic philosophy to private sector leadership of our economic development.
”This project is essentially private sector driven — the Tolaram Group and China Harbour are of course the lead private sector participants in this project.
”And like we have heard, their commitment to this project is total. I commend them for driving this project this far.
”The Nigerian Ports Authority and the Lagos State Government are the public sector partners. The business of government is, in our view, to contribute by way of equity when necessary to project of this size, but more importantly, to create the enabling environment for the private sector.
”Let me say that we must move ahead to ensure the speedy completion of this project. There would be problems as I’m sure you must have experienced some. Be assured that the Federal Government and the Lagos State government will be with you every step of the way to ensure that we give all the support that is required, ” he said.
Also speaking, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, represented by his deputy, Idiat Adebule said the Lekki port was a golden egg waiting to positively impact the economy
Ambode explained that the project was a testimony of government’s commitment to growing the economy and aligning the country with the industrialised countries in the world.
He said, “Data shows that the maritime industry has the potential of becoming a major revenue to the GDP of Nigeria.
”This port when delivered in 2020 will have modern features that will ease pressure on Apapa and Tincan port as it has the capacity to berth larger vessels. This port will impact greatly on the development of the Lekki Free Trade Zone.
”This journey started in 2007 and has been pursued with doggedness. The Lagos State government has equity stake of 20 percent in the Lekki Deep Sea Port.
”This is a show of our faith in the viability and our trust in the capability of the Tolaram group to deliver the project.
“It has been estimated that this project will facilitate an injection of $2.23 billion for construction and fixed assets into the country. This projected to over a 45-year concession period has an aggregate impact of about $3.61 billion on the Nigerian economy.”
Ambode called for more private investment to complement the provision of infrastructure, saying the government could not bear the cost alone.
He also solicited the support of the Federal Government in all ramification to partner in the project.
In his remarks, Chief Executive Officer, Lekki Sea Port, Navin Nahata, one of the promoters of the project, said that the project had demonstrated that Nigeria is an investment destination.
He promised to put in all efforts to deliver the project by 2020.
Buhari, who is on a two-day state visit to Lagos, also commissioned an ultramodern bus terminal in Ikeja and attended the 66th birthday colloquium of former Lagos Governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.