Captain Waredi Enuisuoh
In my opinion, they should probably start in little phases, so lessons learnt can easily correct other areas. What do I mean? They should start with the container section and see how it flows and meets modern day container port requirements. In that way, if they need to expand or remodel other areas from the lessons learnt, it would be easy to make the necessary adjustments. If you go full blown at once with oil tankers and other types of vessels as well, it could pose an unprecedented challenge with a steep learning curve. This could cause difficulty in carrying out corrective actions. Mind you, the type of activity the port is involved in could even require the communities within the vicinity to have a rethink staying around, modernizing or even moving away to make room for the unforeseeable pressure accompanying such activity.
Captain Iheanacho Ebubeogu
The consequences of when it starts operating has to do with the port masterplan. There are two types of plan a port carries out; which are the port land strategic plan which has to do with the plan within the port jurisdiction and also the port masterplan which is a plan that is an integration of both the port land and the maritime industrial environment. That is where there is concern.
Alongside developing that port, knowing fully well the type of cargo traffic it will handle and also coupled with the fact that Dangote refinery is just by the corner as well, it would have been good to expand that road. Because the capacity of what it is going to serve has increased. Therefore, commensurately, it ought to be expanded. If it doesn’t expand, we may replicate the gridlock we have in those areas in Apapa; which is not good enough. It shows that we have not learnt from our past.
Dr. Segun Musa (Deputy National President, NAGAFF)
I have a lesser fear. If you look at that corridor, it is properly planned compared to what we have in Apapa. The measures that need to be put in place are purely regulating the movement of traffic at that axis. I look forward to the railing of that corridor. This is because one of the yardsticks to measure effective port operations is having intermodal symbiotic relationships. So I have no fear, there should be no panic. I am sure whatever needs to be done will be done as we continue to push the government to make sure they put them in place. We will continue to appraise what is on ground.
Bala Zakka
The strategic position to me looks okay, even though it is in the south western part of Nigeria and Lagos axis it is closer to the Atlantic Ocean. It also has proximity to the areas where we can get crude oil and raw materials. As far as vehicular transportation is concerned, which is land transportation, it is going to be hectic. Commuting in and out of that area. What many of us expect is that all exit of product out of that zone should be by rail to locations outside Lagos. There can be depots or dry ports at other areas for onward distribution. This is the opportunity to make use of the coastal ports that we have in Nigeria. On no account should vehicular movement be made or considered as a positive alternative into Lagos and going out, but rather all products should be taken to the nearest location outside the entire Lagos state, using rail lines.
Captain Tajudeen Alao (President, MMA)
What we have in that axis is a dream come true. We only need additional land-based infrastructures, to support it. This is doable. That axis requires road network, rail, pipeline and holistic security. Provision of security requires Threat Assessment Survey of the area. Analysis of data to determine degree of danger and collateral damages. A Security plan should be put in place to mitigate against all threats identified.
But remember that all ports for international shipping are subjected to and must comply with International Ship and Port Security Convention. To achieve this, NIMASA as a designated authority on ISPS Code, must appoint a Recognized Security Organization (RSO) to audit the port facilities and certify it annually. The reason is exposure of port facilities and interphase with international trading ships.
Dr. Muda Yusuf (Former DG, LCCI)
The traffic along that axis is very bad. I think there are some planning issues which are creating a whole lot of problems particularly traffic. Now we have this very high concentration of economic activities along that axis; looking at the number of industries developing in the Free Trade Zone and Dangote Refinery and now this Deep Sea Port. If steps are not taken to immediately anticipate and make adequate provision, then that place will be a complete lockdown in terms of traffic.
I am aware of plans to construct some roads along that axis. This is in the interest of the businesses and residents along that corridor that something is done urgently to preempt any complete lockdown in terms of traffic along that axis. It is bad enough that we don’t even have a rail system. Ideally that corridor should have a rail linking Lekki with access to Victoria Island. No rail or BRT lane and we have one of the worst traffic problems in that axis.
Captain Deji Abegunde
It is more complex as we speak. If Lekki comes up, we would see a lot of vessels coming into Nigeria. If others can do it, I think we can do it too. Nigeria is now doing well when it comes to security against piracy on our waters. There should be no fear, if NIMASA could continue in their efforts on the security of the waters. I believe the Lekki deep sea port is a plus, more than negative. I am not saying it is perfect, but in the aspect of security I think we are still doing well if we can sustain it. I don’t think we should be afraid or have a phobia for anything.
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