Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) has said it is launching a rehabilitation plan for all the ports in Nigeria in the first quarter (Q1) of 2024.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Managing Director of NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko disclosed this during a panel session at the 43rd annual council meeting of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) in Lagos on Tuesday.
Bello-Koko said almost all the ports in Nigeria need rehabilitation and “NPA is initiating a substantial overhaul worth $1.1 billion”, starting with the Tincan Island and Apapa Ports in Lagos.
The NPA boss said, “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.”
According to him, the NPA was also strengthening collaborations with the private sector to establish new seaports.
Bello-Koko said the Lekki deep seaport had already commenced operations, and the Badagry deep seaport recently signed an agreement with a Middle Eastern party, with construction scheduled to commence early next year.
He added that these endeavours exemplify the authority’s determination to create a multimodal transportation system connecting all ports seamlessly.
On the challenges of cargo evacuation by road, the NOA boss said the agency is actively working on alternative initiatives like barges and also expanding rail infrastructure.
Bello-Koko said, “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 (IMO) 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 explained that the security challenges on waterways would require the deployment of the deep blue sea project, equipped with air and sea assets.
Adding that this would enhance security in the Gulf of Guinea and contribute to significantly reducing piracy incidents within Nigerian waters.
Bello-Koko also said the agency is collaborating closely with the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) in reducing bottlenecks and cutting the cost of doing business within the ports.
He said the development of a 25-year port master plan would guide the location, sizes, and activities of ports, terminals, and jetties in Nigeria.
The NPA boss said, “The master plan will serve as a national working document, uniting all stakeholders towards marine and logistics development.”
On his part, the President of PMAWCA, Martin Boguikouma urged African countries to address challenges facing the region to be able to receive the new volume of traffic that would emerge due to the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
Boguikouma also called for efficient transport infrastructure, and maritime safety through enhanced interstate cooperation.
