NPA Plans $1bn Rehabilitation Of Ports – MD
By Patience Chat Moses
As part of efforts to fortify Nigeria’s trade competitiveness, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has revealed plans to use about $1.1 billion for the rehabilitation of all the ports in Nigeria in the first quarter of 2024.
The Managing Director (MD) of NPA, Mr Mohammed Bello-Koko, said this on Tuesday in Lagos, during a panel session at the 43rd Annual Council Meeting of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa.
While speaking at the session, he stated that most ports in the country are in need of rehabilitation and that NPA is initiating a substantial overhaul, starting with the Tin Can Island and Apapa Ports in Lagos.
According to him, the objective of the Authority is to enhance the physical infrastructure of these ports to accommodate vessels of all sizes and increase the draft at the quayside. Increasing the draft is intended to achieve draft depths of up to 14 meters and this initiative will render Nigerian ports more competitive on a global scale,’’ he said.
Bello-Koko further stated that NPA was also strengthening collaborations with the private sector to establish new seaports.
He said the Lekki Deep Seaport had already commenced operations, adding that the Badagry Deep Seaport recently signed an agreement with a Middle Eastern party, with construction scheduled to commence early next year.
The NPA Boss indicated that these endeavors exemplify the Authority’s determination to create a multimodal transportation system connecting all ports seamlessly.
Speaking on the challenges of cargo evacuation by road, Bello-Koko said the agency was actively working on alternative initiatives like barges and also expanding rail infrastructure.
“The survey for deploying cargo rail and tracks to Onne port has been completed, setting the stage for the project to kick off next year. The authority has automated its collection system and is collaborating with the International Maritime Organization to introduce a state-of-the-art port community system, poised to optimise cargo clearance processes. The authority is working on clarifying the responsibilities of government agencies within the ports with the newly developed port process manual aimed to reduce overlaps and eliminate duplication of duties,’’ he said.
Addressing the security challenges on waterways, he said, ‘’the deployment of the deep blue sea project, equipped with air and sea assets, would enhance security in the Gulf of Guinea and contribute to significantly reducing piracy incidents within Nigerian waters.’’
He added that NPA was collaborating closely with the Nigerian Customs Service in reducing bottlenecks and cut the cost of doing business within the ports.
Bello- Koko also disclosed the development of a 25-year port master plan that would guide the location, sizes, and activities of ports, terminals, and jetties in Nigeria explaining that the master plan will serve as a national working document for uniting all stakeholders towards marine and logistics development.
