By Ajibola Adedoye
The managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho has assured stakeholders that the NPA is committed to collaborating with Lekki Freeport Terminal (LFT) to maximize its potential, thereby unleashing significant benefits for Nigeria’s national economy.
Dr. Dantsoho’s comments during the recent visit to the NPA Corporate Headquarters at Marina, Lagos by the management team of Lekki Freeport Terminal, led by its chief executive officer, Capt. Jedrzej Mierzewski are seen as groundbreaking.
Dr. Dantsoho who was represented by the General Manager, Tariff and Billing, Mr. Lukman Ibrahim expressed his gratitude to the management of LFT for demonstrating unwavering dedication to operational excellence and the optimisation of port activities.
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He emphasised the vital role of the Lekki Port’s advanced infrastructure and technology, indicating that these elements would serve as benchmarks for the broader port modernisation programme spearheaded by the NPA.
According to Dr. Dantsoho, “The quality of infrastructure and equipment at the Lekki Port points us in the right direction, especially as we aggressively pursue our port modernisation strategy.”
In further remarks, he highlighted that LFT’s fully automated operations are a perfect alignment with the NPA’s goal of implementing the Port Community System (PCS). This initiative aims to facilitate the long-awaited National Single Window (NSW), which is designed to streamline Nigeria’s trade processes.
“The integration of LFT’s cutting-edge systems into our national strategy is pivotal. It not only enhances operational efficiencies but also fortifies Nigeria’s position as a trade leader in the region,” he added.
The managing director underscored the importance of LFT in bolstering Nigeria’s export competitiveness, referring to it as “a strategic asset.” This asset is particularly notable for its ability to accommodate super post-Panamax vessels and deliver swift cargo and vessel turnaround times. Such capabilities are indispensable for enhancing Nigeria’s maritime profile internationally.
He reiterated the NPA’s commitment towards enabling the national economy to tap into the multifaceted benefits provided by the Lekki Port’s capacity to berth larger vessels.
Further elaborating, Dr. Dantsoho noted the steady rise in transhipment figures from Lekki, stating that “We are poised to meet the maritime needs of our landlocked neighbouring countries.” This assertion reinforces the NPA’s intent to expand its influence in the regional logistics landscape through strategic partnerships and cutting-edge advancements.
Reflecting on the increased cargo throughput projected for 2025, Capt. Mierzewski acknowledged the terminal’s role as a central hub in West Africa, pointing out a remarkable 50% surge in cargo volumes, which has underscored Lekki’s potential as a premier deep-sea port.
Despite the achievement, he candidly articulated the challenges that lie ahead, such as the urgent need for expanding channels to accommodate larger vessels.
“The Lekki Port is uniquely positioned as the only deep-sea port specifically designed to serve the entire West African Coast. Its state-of-the-art infrastructure, automation, and logistics efficiency actively support Nigeria’s trade goals and meet our regional maritime demands,” Capt. Mierzewski asserted.
The delegation included key figures such as Mr. Emmanuel Delran, Vice President Vessel CMA Terminal, Mr. Emmanuel Jean Delachambre, Senior Vice President CMA Terminal, and other eminent officials from both CMA and the NPA.
The Port Manager, Lekki Port, Emmanuel Anda who led the NPA team to the business meeting stated that the Authority was ready to collaborate with the efforts of the investors towards bringing positive changes to the Maritime Industry in line with the Federal Government’s policy on Blue Economy.
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