Construction of Lekki Deep Seaport a project that has been in the pipeline for years has kicked off in earnest, the management of Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise has announced.
Breakwater construction has kicked off on a project located in Lagos Free Trade Zone (LFTZ), Ibeju-Lekki.
Upon completion Lekki Deep Seaport will be one of the most modern ports, supporting the burgeoning trade across Nigeria and the entire West African region, and providing the connection to the global shipping network.
Acting Director General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) Chidi Izuwah said Friday during inspection of the project that the Federal Government and the 36 states are expected to earn about 361 billion dollars as revenue when operation begins at the Lekki deep sea port in Lagos.
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The port construction is being carried out by two major companies:China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC), the engineering and construction arm of China Construction and Communication Company (CCCC) and Louis Berger Group, USA.
“We are working tirelessly in conjunction with China Harbour Engineering Company to deliver a port which will be a state-of-the-art, model deep sea port, not only in Nigeria but in sub-Saharan Africa” he said Izuwah.
Apart from the Lekki Deep Seaport, Nigeria is also planning the construction of another port in the southern part of the country. Ibom Deep Seaport will be situated in Akwa Ibom state within a licensed free trade zone.
Already, promoters of the project have started looking for investors to help in its construction.
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According to the promoters of the port offers international seaport developers, operators, investors as well as its potential for driving inclusive economic growth in Nigeria and the West and Central African sub-region.
When fully developed, the container terminals will be able to accommodate up to 13 New Panamax Class container vessels and two very large feeder vessels.
But,a report released mid last year appeared to cast doubt on the viability of port projects in West Africa with Lekki port being one of them.
The report consultancy firm, Drewry,observed that most sea port projects across the West African region are now in uncertain waters amid a change in the location and nature of transshipment hubs serving the market.