The Lekki multi-purpose seaport, according to the Federal Government, is anticipated to create more than 170,000 direct and indirect jobs for Nigerians upon completion.
According to Nairametrics, the managing director of the Nigeria Lekki Seaport and Ports Authority, Mohammed Koko, made this announcement on Saturday in Enugu during their Special Day at the 34th Enugu International Trade Fair, which was organized by the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines & Agriculture.
Lekki Deep Seaport, he claims, is the deepest port in all of West Africa and would fundamentally alter Nigeria’s maritime industry.
Koko, who was represented by the Principal Manager of Corporate and Strategic Communication at NPA, Lagos, stated that the Port Authority would aspire to be the foremost port in Africa a dream that can be realized through a collective commitment to trade development drivers.
“We will keep working together with our partners to help improve Nigeria’s economy, and we view ECCIMA as a partner in that effort.
“Considering that 85% of all economic activity is delivered through ports worldwide, where marine transport is still the primary entry point to the global market, the maritime industry in Nigeria is a major economic driver.
Koko noted that he was quite happy that ECCIMA had continued to offer platforms and chances for entrepreneurs to flourish.
The managing director also said that to ensure convenience in the logistics chain, train links from the ports were being renovated.
Stating that at the NPA, the Lilypond Terminal gives exporters the essential infrastructure to complete their transactions at a lower cost and faster, thereby reducing the cost and time of exporting, thereby increasing their competitiveness in the international market.
“This is being done to promote the export of more commodities created in the country, to increase non-export, and to loosen supply chain restrictions for export cargoes.
“The exportation of solid mineral resources and agricultural products will continue to be given top priority, which would help the economy of the country overall,” he said.
President of the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture, Jasper Nduagwuike, earlier praised the NPA for returning to the fair after a few years of absence and suggested that efforts be taken to relieve congestion in all of the nation’s ports.
He emphasized that there was still much to be done because importers, particularly those from the Southeast of the country, were still being delayed excessively and experiencing unwarranted bureaucracy in clearing their goods from Ports like Onne and Port Harcourt.
The Lekki Deep Seaport was commissioned for operations by President Muhammadu Buhari on Jan. 23, 2023.
