By Ezra Odogu
President Muhammadu Buhari has stated that the $1.5B Lekki Deep Sea Port is in line with his administration’s Economic Recovery Growth Plan (ERGP), adding that he is ever-ready to lend his support to game-changing infrastructure projects that can impact positively on trade and commerce in the country. He said this yesterday in Lagos after he inaugurated the Lekki Deep Sea Port, the largest in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa.
President Buhari, who landed at exactly 3.33pm at the Presidential wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, was received by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat and some members of the State Executive Council. In his entourage were Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji, his Ogun State counterpart Dapo Abiodun, former governors Kayode Fayemi and Ibikunle Amosun, service chiefs, Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) Abike Dabiri, Minister of Information Lai Mohammed, among others.
The multi-purpose Deep Sea Port offers enormous support to the burgeoning commercial operations across Nigeria and the entire West African region. Buhari, in the company of his entourage, took a brief tour of facilities in the project. Governor Sanwo-Olu described the Sea Port as a total combination of the efforts of the Federal Government, Lagos State Government and the private sector, saying the project was started and completed during the administration of Buhari. He added that the size of vessels that would berth at the port could be up to four times the size of vessels that currently berth at the Tin Can and Apapa Ports. While thanking everyone that made the project a reality, Sanwo-Olu said the project would also provide thousands of direct and indirect jobs to Nigerians.
He said: “The project is a total combination of efforts of the Federal Government, Lagos State and the private sector, and we are happy that this is happening in your time. It all started within your time and it has been completed within your time. The size of vessels that will be coming here could be up to four times the size of vessels that currently berth at both Tin Can and Apapa Ports. So, it is a massive infrastructure and we are excited that something fresh has been impacted into this country, and it is going to generate thousands and thousands jobs directly and hundreds of thousands of jobs indirectly in the entire ecosystem. This is your own project and we are excited.”
The Governor said the construction of the port was completed in record time, despite the slowdown in the pace of work occasioned by the Coronavirus pandemic. He said speed and consistency of construction testified to the determination of all the partners to deliver project. He said: “The last Sea Port construction in Lagos took place in the late 1970s, when Tin Can Island Port was built to relieve Apapa Port. Now, with the support of President Buhari, federal authorities and the investment of the private sector, we are home to the newest Sea Port in the world, and the first Deep Sea Port in Nigeria. The economy of Lagos and Nigeria will be massively transformed by this investment, with enormous benefits in terms of direct and indirect jobs creation in their thousands, tens of billions of dollars in government revenues, reduced shipping and logistics costs, trade facilitation, and many other benefits.”
According to the state government, the vision conceptualised decades ago by Lagos State Government has been nurtured to a reality, with the construction and completion of a new Deep Seaport in Lagos Free Trade Zone (FTZ), Ibeju Lekki, by the State Government in collaboration with Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and a group of private investors. The development underscores another triumph of Public-Private Partnership (PPP), a possibility the state government started exploring for infrastructure delivery since early 2000s. The transportation infrastructure would give a major boost to the economy, by expanding the nation’s maritime capacity and paving way for the decongestion efforts at the existing Apapa and Tin Can Island ports.
The Lekki Deep Seaport, constructed by China Habour Engineering firm, sits on 90 hectares in the 830 hectares carved out for the Free Trade Zone, created in 2012 to enhance economic position of Lagos as manufacturing and logistics hub in West Africa. The Lekki Deep Seaport is designed with three container berths of 1,200-metre long and 16.5-metre water depth. It is built with the capacity to be berthed by fifth generation container ships, and has capacity to handle 1.2 million standard containers. It equally has expanding storage for six million, Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit (TEU) of containers yearly.
The port is expected to generate $201 billion revenue annually for Lagos and Federal Government in taxes, royalties and duties, while having an estimated business revenue impact of $158 billion across the value chain. Over 300,000 direct jobs will be created from port operations, with hundreds of indirect jobs across the value chain.
Also, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Mohammad Bello-Koko, said that the new port would generate employment opportunities for Nigerians. He thanked the President for giving the port necessary approvals during the construction period, adding that NPA would provide necessary marine services to ensure its efficiency. Bello-Koko said that the Lekki Deep Sea Port is the deepest and most modern port in the country that accommodates bigger vessels and cargoes.
“This will be a model for other deep sea ports in Nigeria and I say congratulations to the investors and the project delivery team, the Lekki Port management team for a job well done,” he said. Bello-Koko also appreciated President Buhari for the necessary approval and the Federal Ministry of Transportation for making the project a reality. “Recall that the port has been in the drawing board for over 10 years; four years ago when we came here it was just a sand-filled area. Today, we are talking about the commissioning and we thank the president for the approval given to make this happen,” he said.
He noted that the Lekki Deep Port is just the beginning of greater things in the sector. Bello-Koko said that the NPA as the regulator would be responsible for providing marine services and others needed to ensure seamless service delivery.
Minister for Transportation, Engr. Muazu Sambo Jaji, said the completion of a deep seaport in a record time of 45 months indicated the effectiveness and tenacity of ministerial supervision, strict regulatory oversight and strong presidential backing. He added that the distinctive features of the Lekki Deep Seaport, such as automation of operations that enable quick cargo and vessel turn around, would enhance the competitiveness of Nigeria’s exports, especially agro-allied products in the international marketplace, while positioning the country to maximise opportunities in African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement. Managing Director of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority, Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, hailed Sanwo-Olu for bringing the dream to life, saying the Governor had been a frontline champion of the Free Zone scheme. “This maritime project will boost the economy of Nigeria with hundreds of billions of U.S. Dollars revenue to State and Federal agencies through taxes, duties and royalties, regardless of the tax incentives being enjoyed as a free zone, thereby boosting the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This sea port, which will be managed by CMA Terminals, will open Nigeria up to more local and international business transactions,” Adesugba said.
Also, Dr Bashir Jamoh, the Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, said that Nigeria had seen the emergency of one of the best ports in West Africa. “Today, we are seeing the realisation of the commissioning of the best port in African that is expected to inject not less than $360 billion and provide employment to not less than 190,000 Nigerians. Secondly, we have seen dedication and political will on this project. This project commenced and started by this administration with sincerity of purpose,” Jamoh said.
Also in his contribution, Mr Emmanuel Jime, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, noted that he was glad to witness the delivery of what would be the game-changer in the maritime industry. Jime congratulated the Federal Ministry of Transportation and all the stakeholders involved in the delivery of the Lekki Deep Sea Port. The Chairman of China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), Mr
Tang Qiaoliang, noted that the port would improve the Nigerian port industry, ease burden of cargo shipment flow, create employment, and promote international trade.
He said: “Lekki Port is the first deep sea port in Nigeria, a major trade hub in West Africa. It will improve the Nigerian port industry, easing the burden of cargo shipment flow, creating employments, and ultimately promote international trade in the nation. As an international top-tier engineering contractor, investment operator, urban developer and ecological manager, CHEC insists to its philosophy ‘value-orientation’, commits itself to upgrading of ‘platform plus industrial leading’ strategy. With such strategy, we see the opportunity in Nigeria, and believe in its potential. So, we committed the adequate financial investment and essential technology, together with Nigerians in the construction and operation of the port. Under the framework of the China Africa Forum and the Belt and Road Initiative, we look forward to establishing a long-term strategic partnership in the infrastructure sector with the Federal Government of Nigeria,” Oiaoliang said.
He noted that the project would deepen the bilateral trade and cooperation between Nigeria and China. The Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited (LPLEL) is a joint venture enterprise owned by foreign promoters, Lekki Port Investment Holdings Inc. (comprising China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd. and Tolaram), the Lagos State Government, and the Federal Government. LPLEL is incorporated under the Companies & Allied Matters Act regime and licensed by the Lagos Free Zone to operate in the Free Zone under the NEPZ Act. This opens a host of benefits for Lekki Port regarding taxes, duties, and other incentives. The Lekki Port is a multi-purpose Deep Sea Port at the heart of the Lagos Free Trade Zone, one of the most modern ports, supporting the burgeoning trade across Nigeria and the entire West African region. The shareholders of this visionary project are the NPA, the Lagos State Government, China Harbour Engineering Company, and Tolaram.
President also unveiled the world-class Imota Rice Mill
President Buhari also opened the Imota Rice Mill, considered the biggest of its kind in Africa and fourth largest in the world. The mill is a 2 x X IGMTPH standing on an area of 8.5Ha land, with an annual paddy requirement of over 240,000MT to produce 32 metric tonnes per hour, 2.5 million bags of 50kg rice per annum. The mill will generate about 1,500 direct jobs and 250,000 indirect jobs to Lagosians. The final product is called ‘Eko Rice.’
Buhari, who described the project facility as ‘so big,’ hailed the Lagos State government for taking the bold step to become self-sufficient in food production. He toured the facility, saw the rice pyramids and also watched the last part of the bagging process, which is the sealing. Governor Sanwo-Olu, who said the President was delighted with the projects, said: “The President is really so delighted to be here to open the largest rice mill in the entire Sub-Saharan Africa and one of the largest in the world. The Lagos rice mill here in Imota has been done because of the agricultural revolution of Mr President who, when at the beginning of his administration, said Nigerians should grow what they eat and eat what they grow. We are happy that Lagos is the testament for that. Lagos is ready to support the rice revolution and food revolution in Nigeria. It will create close to 250,000 direct or indirect jobs. We want to thank the Imota and Ikorodu community, and everyone for waiting patiently. Mr President is indeed excited that we have achieved another first in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa.
“Today, we are delivering the largest-capacity rice mill in the sub-Saharan Africa, and one of the biggest in the world. Once again, Nigeria is on the international map, manifesting her industrial potential to the fullest. While Lagos may not have the land mass to host large-scale farming on the level being done by agrarian states in the country, we do have in abundance of passion for industrial development, value-addition and capacity-building for our people. We decided that, while we may not have the largest rice farms in the country, we can still get involved in the value chain through processing and value-addition. Mr. President’s vision is to have a country a that ‘grows what it eats and eats what it grows’. Lagos is proud to be a contributor to the realisation of this vision through this rice mill, and other agriculture interventions, including Africa’s largest Food Logistics Park.”
Sanwo-Olu said the rice mill would require over 200,000 tons of paddy to be grown on over 50,000 hectares of rice field in a cropping season. This, he said, would create a huge investment opportunity in paddy aggregation, rice production technology, extension services, land opening and mechanisation of the production processes, along with capacity building for Rice farmers in States to be partnered by Lagos.
Sanwo-Olu also restated his administration’s commitment to further bring about socio-economic and infrastructural development to the state, while assuring Lagosians would always enjoy the dividends of democracy. The Oniru of Iruland, Oba Omogbolahan Lawal, a former Commissioner for Agriculture in the state, said he is happy to witness the mill’s opening. He said: “I am one of the happiest people here today. I remember vividly in 2011/2012, when the Eko Rice started, it was a 2.5metric tonne capacity, and I also remembered we were able to create jobs through the rice value chain. This is the biggest in Africa, and I must thank the Federal Government for coming up with the initiative of banning rice importation. This project has many advantages, ranging from employment opportunities, revenue generation, and economic development, among others.”
Ranodu of Imota, Oba Mudashiru Bakare-Agoro, expressed his delight that the project came to being in his lifetime and reign. “It is worthy of celebration for me. I am 30 years on the throne, and I am celebrating that with this project opening. It’s a landmark achievement given to Imota by God Almighty through some people. This project has brought all the factors of production to Imota, and when these are present in any area, it would engender both economic and commercial development. The multiplier economic effect of this mill is unquantifiable, and we are grateful. I’m praying to God that we all live to witness the development. My message to my people is that we are overjoyed and we should protect this well.”
Dignitaries at the event included members of the state executive council, Senator Tokunbo Abiru (Lagos East), members of the House of Representatives Wale Raji and Babajimi Benson, Gbenga Ale, Chief of Staff to Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, Lagos State Chief Judge, Justice Kazeem Alogba, Lagos State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Cornelius Ojelabi, Chairman of the APC Presidential Campaign Committee Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Agriculture, Kehinde Joseph, former Deputy Governor Abiodun Ogunleye, Chief Executive Officer of the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) Lamido Yuguda, among others. Royal fathers present also included Oba Rilwan Akiolu, represented by white cap chiefs, Ayangburen of Ikorodu Oba Kabir Shotobi, Oluwo of Iwo Oba AbdulRosheed Akanbi, Obateru of Egbin Kingdom Oba Adeoriyomi Oyebo, Adeboruwa of Igbogbo Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun-Kasali, among others.
The President also inaugurated Bestaf Lubricant at MRS Holdings Company Limited in Apapa and 18-km six-lane Eleko-Epe T-Junction formally opened for traffic. The 200 million litre lubricant plant, which covers the whole value chain of lubricants, is the first of its kind in West Africa.
