The newly completed Lekki deep seaport is ready for official commissioning and commencement of commercial operations at the end of the first quarter of 2023.
Managing Director, Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited (LPLEL), Mr Du Ruogang, who disclosed this during a media parley in Lagos on Wednesday said 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.
He noted that the terminal operator, Lekki Free Port Terminal (LFT), is putting everything in place to give a world-class port experience adding that all the relevant agencies have been sensitised to undertake their roles in the new port.
Ruogang applauded the media for the port’s success just as he urged them to extend the same support to the container terminal operator, Lekki Freeport Terminal, as they prepare to commence operations.
He noted that as the Lagos State Government commenced work on the construction of access roads leading to the port, there is need 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.
In his remarks, the Chief Operating Officer, Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited (LPLEL), Laurence Smith, said while full commercial operation will commence at the end of the first quarter of 2023, the terminal operator, Lekki Free Port Terminal, will be carrying out trial operations once they complete the installation of all necessary port equipment and infrastructure.
Smith hinted that Lekki Port has already opened up discussions with potential operators of the Liquid berth terminals, which is critical to the commencement of the construction of Phase 2 of the port.
Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited (LPLEL) is the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) that was awarded the Concession Agreement for the development and operations of the Lekki Deep Sea Port by the Nigerian Ports Authority.
It is required to develop, build and operate a common user multipurpose port.
The company sub-concessioned the container terminal operations to Lekki Freeport Terminal (LFT), a subsidiary of CMA/CGM, the world’s largest container shipping company.
Photo caption:
L-R: Head of Legal, Lekki Port, Opeyemi Emmanuel; Chief Operations Officer, Laurence Smith, Managing Director, Mr. Du Ruogang; Civil Asset Manager, Mr. Mathew Oloyede and Deputy Chief Operations Officer, Mr. Daniel Odibe during a media parley in Lagos on Wednesday.
