Oluyinka Onigbinde
The Federal Government says Nigeria has begun talks with some West African countries on how to make the country a transhipment hub for the continent.
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Port Authority, Mr Mohammed Bello-Koko, stated this during the commissioning of two tug boats; MT Maikoko and MT DA-Opukuro, in Apapa, Lagos on Friday.
He disclosed that the tugboats would be moved to Lekki Deep Seaport.
Koko informed that in the coming weeks, Nigeria should be able to commence transhipment of cargoes to some West African countries.
“About two weeks ago, we had a meeting with officials from Chad, Niger Republic and Cameroon and the idea was to see how we can start moving their cargoes from Nigeria to their ports. And they were looking for a port that would reduce waiting time for cargoes. Now for Lekki with these tugboats that were commissioned, will help us achieve our aim of turning the port into a transshipment hub.”
Bello-Koko expressed confidence that the county would start witnessing handling of transhipment cargoes in a few weeks’ time.
“I know that transhipment cargoes should come to Lekki maybe in the next three weeks. With this tugboat we will tug in no matter the size of the ship. So this means we will take back businesses in neighboring countries and the cargo going to other countries will come back.”
He added that the two tugboats are the largest in Africa.
“By acquiring these boats which the permanent secretary has said are actually the largest in Africa, it will be able to tug in vessels of all sizes. What this means is that there would be less waiting time and it will eventually lead to reduction in cargo dwell time. We already have interest in other African countries.”
He said: “Permit me to seize this opportunity to reiterate that our drive towards deploying Lekki Deep Seaport as launch pad for transshipment remains unwavering and this event today is confirmation of our doggedness on this noble cause.”
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation, Dr Magdelene Ajani, said that the tugboats would help optimise operations at the Lekki Deep Seaport.
“The make and capacity 80 ton bollard pull tugboat is the first in Africa and you can use them on very large vessels. It also has a 360 rotational capacity. So trying to navigate any vessel in any direction won’t be a problem with this particular tugboat. For us we are not bothered in terms of the capacity of the vessels that need to be tugged because we can see clearly that we have the capacity. It will help to optimise operations at the Lekki Deep Seaport.”
Ajani also said that with this feat, the country has shown seriousness to optimize the opportunities inherent in the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA), which we are signatory.
She said that for the country to maximize the huge potentials in the sector, there is need to invest hugely in technology.
“My joy derives from the fact that the acquisition of these equipment, amongst many others that are in the works, signposts Nigeria’s seriousness to optimize the opportunities inherent in the AfCFTA to which we are signatory. Maximizing the comparative advantages that our maritime assets as a littoral nation confers rests heavily on how much we are able to deepen our efficiencies through the deployment of relevant technology and equipment.”
Ajani, commended the management of NPA for the achievement.
“I particularly want to commend the NPA management team for delivering on this project in good time to support the optimization of the Lekki Deep Seaport. This is the kind of efficiency that the Ministry supports its agencies to entrench in the polity and I am happy that we are making progress.”
According to her, “By being the first in Africa to acquire these 2813 model of Damen’s ASD neoteric 80 tons bollard pull tugboats,, the NPA has accentuated the determination of the Federal Ministry of Transportation to boost port operational efficiency.”
Also speaking, Mr Lawrence Smith, Chief Operating Officer, Lekki Deep Seaport, said that NPA had consistently showed its commitment to the port, with he various infrastructure deployed.
According to Smith, this will ensure that Nigeria has a competitive edge and become the hub in West Africa.
“I appreciate NPA for the newly-acquired tugboats and appreciate the FMOT, Lagos State for the strong enabling environment for operations.
“We look forward for a continued journey with the NPA,” he said.
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