NPA Unveils $1.1 Billion Plan To Rehabilitate All Ports In Nigeria

The Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) has unveiled its $1.1 billion plan to rehabilitate all ports in the country in the first quarter of 2024.

Mohammed Bello-Koko, managing director of the NPA, revealed the plan on Tuesday during a panel session at the 43rd Annual Council Meeting of the Port Management Association of West and Central Africa.

During the meeting, the managing director said all Nigerian ports require rehabilitation, adding that the NPA will start with Tincan Island and Apapa Ports in Lagos.

"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," he said, Punch reported.

"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," he added.

Bello-Koko also shared that the NPA is strengthening collaborations with the private sector to develop new seaports, revealing that Lekki Deep Seaport has begun its operations.

"The Badagry Deep Seaport recently signed an agreement with a Middle Eastern party, with construction scheduled to commence early next year," he said, adding that this "exemplifies NPA's determination to create a multimodal transportation system connecting all ports seamlessly."

The managing director also addressed the challenges of cargo evacuation by road, explaining that they are already working on alternative routes, such as barges, and expanding railway infrastructure.

He said the survey for deploying cargo rail and tracks to Onne port has been finished and that they are all set to kick off the project next year.

"The authority has automated its collection system and is collaborating with the International Maritime Organization to introduce a state-of-the-art port community system, poised to optimize cargo clearance processes," he said.

"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 added.

Bello-Koko disclosed that the NPA has been closely working with the Nigerian Customs Service to cut costs and reduce the bottlenecks when it comes to doing business within the ports.

"We need to ensure capacity building of all seaport and customs officials, sensitize them on how to address cross border trade. There is a need to work in reducing transport cost, investing in efficient transport infrastructure, safety maritime safety through enhanced interstate cooperation," he said.