Poor road network may hinder Lekki deep seaport operations – Expert
The Federal Government has been urged to ensure perfect operations of deep seaports in the country, particularly the Lekki Deep Seaport in Lagos, which is expected to kick off in the next two years.
Some of the factors expected to be properly shaped for efficient delivery by the seaport include a well-articulated road and rail network and utilisation of inland waterways for efficient evacuation of cargoes that would be imported through the facility.
Experts who spoke on the imperatives of deep seaports in Nigeria (A case study of Lekki Deep Seaport) during a training programme for journalists in Lagos described the $1.5bn project as a noble idea which would significantly boost the economy of the country.
A maritime expert at the Lagos Business School, Prof. Frank Ojadi, said good nautical access was essential for maritime connectivity of ports.
Prof. Ojadi noted that deep seaports would create opportunities for transshipment operations, generate more employment, promote local shipping business and boost trade in the country.
The don, however, urged the federal and state governments to begin to think of good road and rail networks, as well as inland navigation to Lekki, considering the huge traffic that would be created by the deep seaport and Dangote Refinery, among the other major projects cited in the area.
He expressed worry that the Senate Committee on Ports, Harbours and Waterways and the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) had earlier identified this issue, but that nothing concrete had been done.
Ojadi said government had to do proper planning to guarantee the viability of the many deep seaports springing up in the country.
Also speaking on the economic prospects of deep sea ports in the country, industry expert and Chief Executive Officer, Ships and Ports Communications, Mr. Bolaji Akinola, said the multi-billion dollar projects cited in the Lekki Free Zone corridor might face access challenges if plans for road and rail infrastructure to evacuate products from the refinery and seaport were not immediately begun.
He said, “The record year for containers in Nigeria was 2014, with throughput of 1.6 million TEUs. That has been the highest so far in the history of this country. Since then we have had a plunge, but I see this year matching the 2014 record.
“The records are already there because the throughput in first quarter 2018 is as good as what was recorded in the same period of 2014; which means that our economy is rebounding.”