Ports Infrastructure Overhaul to Cost $1.1bn, Says NPA MD, Bello Koko
BELLO KOKO
*Rails to be linked in all ports for cargo evacuation
By Francis Ugwoke
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello Koko, has disclosed that the planned ports infrastructure rehabilitation will cost $1.1bn.
Bello Koko said that almost every seaport in Nigeria needs major overhaul to ensure that Nigeria is better positioned for trade competitiveness.
The NPA boss who spoke on the occasion of the 43rd Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) conference held in Lagos, said that major repair work will start from the Lagos Tin Can Island port.
He explained that the idea behind such rehabilitation was to ensure that physical infrastructure of the ports can take modern and bigger vessels calling at the ports.
For instance, he added that when rehabilitated, the quay side will be better as draft depths will be up to 14 meters to accommodate bigger vessels.
According to him, the rehabilitation will align Nigerian ports in competition with global ports.
The MD also disclosed that the organization has been collaborating with the private sector in a bid to build new seaports, adding that Lekki Deep Seaport was one of such efforts.
He added that more seaports will follow, starting with the Badagry Deep Seaport which according to him, is billed to start operations early next year.
He added that an agreement was signed recently with a Middle Eastern party for the Badagry deep seaport.
To ensure swift and efficient evacuation of cargoes from the seaports, Bello Koko said NPA has been working on the alternative of using barges as well as rail links to the ports.
In view of this, he said, rails will soon be linked to all the seaports in the country, adding that this has already reached Apapa and will be extended to Tin Can port.
Similarly, he said the survey for the use of cargo rail and tracks to Onne has been carried out, adding that by next year, it will take off.
To reduce costs, he said, NPA has since introduced automation.
According to him, “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 optimize cargo clearance processes”
By Francis Ugwoke
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello Koko, has disclosed that the planned ports infrastructure rehabilitation will cost $1.1bn.
Bello Koko said that almost every seaport in Nigeria needs major overhaul to ensure that Nigeria is better positioned for trade competitiveness.
The NPA boss who spoke on the occasion of the 43rd Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) conference held in Lagos, said that major repair work will start from the Lagos Tin Can Island port.
He explained that the idea behind such rehabilitation was to ensure that physical infrastructure of the ports can take modern and bigger vessels calling at the ports.
For instance, he added that when rehabilitated, the quay side will be better as draft depths will be up to 14 meters to accommodate bigger vessels.
According to him, the rehabilitation will align Nigerian ports in competition with global ports.
The MD also disclosed that the organization has been collaborating with the private sector in a bid to build new seaports, adding that Lekki Deep Seaport was one of such efforts.
He added that more seaports will follow, starting with the Badagry Deep Seaport which according to him, is billed to start operations early next year.
He added that an agreement was signed recently with a Middle Eastern party for the Badagry deep seaport.
To ensure swift and efficient evacuation of cargoes from the seaports, Bello Koko said NPA has been working on the alternative of using barges as well as rail links to the ports.
In view of this, he said, rails will soon be linked to all the seaports in the country, adding that this has already reached Apapa and will be extended to Tin Can port.
Similarly, he said the survey for the use of cargo rail and tracks to Onne has been carried out, adding that by next year, it will take off.
To reduce costs, he said, NPA has since introduced automation.
According to him, “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 optimize cargo clearance processes”
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