Lekki Deep Seaport construction completed, facility to bridge infrastructural gap in Nigeria.
Lekki Deep Seaport construction completed, facility to bridge infrastructural gap in Nigeria.
Chairman, Board of Directors of the Lekki Deep Seaport, Mr. Biodun Dabiri on Monday confirmed the completion of the multi-billion dollars seaport situated in Lagos.
The chairman enthused that the deep seaport would contribute immensely to the growth and development of the nation’s economy
The seaport is expected to create more than 170,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Mr. Dabiri stated that with global cooperation and collaboration, the facility could bridge infrastructural gap in Nigeria.
The chairman gave the confirmation during the completion ceremony on Monday.
He averred that the port would generate approximately $361 billion during the concession period and generate $201 billion in revenue for both Lagos State and the Federal Government of Nigeria.
According to him, the port will make Nigeria the transhipment hub of the region.
His words, “We are pleased to celebrate the completion of the construction of the port and the effective handover of the facilities by Lekki Port from the EPC Contractor, China Harbour Engineering LFTZ Enterprise, a subsidiary of China Harbour Engineering Company.
“It has been a long journey of many steps starting from the time when Tolaram led by Pa Mohan Aswani sought to develop a deep seaport for the benefit of the Lagos Free Zone and indeed all of Lagos State and Nigeria to getting a concession from the Nigerian Ports Authority for a unique private public partnership port, getting a loan facility from China Development Bank to the infusion of eqity capital in the sum of US$221m by China Harbour Engineering Company, to the start of construction in the midst of an unprecedented global pandemic.
“It has under been a journey, through it all, GHEKE and China Harbour courageously persevered with the construction and by the grace of God and with the support of all the stakeholders, we are able to convene here today for the symbolic exchange of the fully constructed port and we congratulate CHELE on a job well done..l
*At this point, I would like to formally acknowledge the key role that His Excellency, Mr. Governor played in resolving many challenges which we encountered in the construction of the port during the COVID-19 pandemic and attendant lockdown. He personally undertook the process of getting immigration approvals for the technical workers from China as well as approvals from the Federal Ministry of Aviation for special flight permissions to bring in the technical workers as well as the new management team for the port from Beijing.
“This singular act was the turning point that ensured that the port was constructed in line with the timelines given by Lekki Port. It was tough, but CHELE delivered, and we commend them for their dedication and hard work.
Going down memory lane, he said: “In 2019 (23rd October to be precise) when the US$629 million loan facility agreements with China Development Bank was signed, I noted that the facility will enable the construction of the port which will deepen Nigeria’s infrastructural capacity and have a transformational effect on the Nigerian economy.
“This has now come to pass, and I am indeed very pleased that all the hard work of the promoters; Tolaram & China Harbour and of the shareholders which include Lagos State Government, and the Nigerian Ports Authority has not been in vain”.
He added that, when the presidential commissioning takes place, and the port becomes fully- operational, there is no doubt that Lekki Deep Sea Port will contribute immensely to the growth of the Nigerian economy, creating about 170,000 direct and indirect jobs, generating approximately $361 billion during the period of the concession, and generating over $201 billion in revenue for both Lagos State and the Federal Government of Nigeria”.
According to him, “the draft of 16.5 metres means it (the port) can accommodate larger vessels which will automatically make Nigeria the trans-shipment hub of the region”.
“This project is a poster child for how effective global cooperation and collaboration can bridge the infrastructural gap in Nigeria. We thank the Government of China which enabled China Harbour Engineering Company and China Development Bank to invest in Lekki Port, and we equally thank the President Muhammadu Buhari government which provided an enabling environment for this investment to flourish” he said.
