Managing Director of the Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited, LPLEL, Mr. Du Ruogang has said that newly completed Lekki Deep Sea Port is ready for commercial operations, and awaiting the Presidential commissioning before the end of the first quarter of 2023.
Rougang, who is also Head of the commercial operations of the Port, disclosed this to Pressmen in Lagos yesterday.
He assured that the terminal operator, Lekki Free Port Terminal (LFT), is putting everything in place to give a world-class port experience; and the relevant agencies have been sensitized to undertake their roles in the new port.
He that all necessary arrangements are being put in place for the official commissioning by President Muhammadu Buhari, after which the port will be fully set for the start of commercial operations.
During the parley, it was noted that while Lagos State Government commenced work on the construction of access roads leading to the port, there was an appeal for more support in the area of infrastructural development to ensure easy cargo movement out of the port.
He also expressed appreciation to the Federal Government through the Ministry of Transportation and other relevant agencies, including the Nigerian Port Authority, NPA, Nigerian Shippers Council, NSC, and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, for their contribution to making the port a reality.
I will not accept another Apapa at Lekki port – Minister
Meanwhile, the Minister of Transportation, Jaji Sambo, has said that he would not accept another Apapa at the Lekki-Epe axis by way of movement of goods in and out of the port.
Speaking at the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria, MARAN 34th Anniversary and Awards with the theme: “16 years of Port Concession: The Pains And The Gains, held in Lagos; Sambo said:
“Lekki Deep sea port, I have told them I do not want them to move goods to that port or from that port by road. There is no reason why we should have another Apapa at Lekki-Epe axis, I will not accept it. To start with, we must do barge, let us do barge operations and that would also bring a lot of jobs for people who do barges and people who fabricate barges and others in the chain. At the same time, build capacity for our people.
