The Managing Director of the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello-Koko, and the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Emmanuel Jime, have highlighted the need for infrastructure development in the Nigerian ports to achieve the goal of becoming a maritime hub in the West Africa sub region.
During a breakfast meeting organized by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) in Lagos, Bello-Koko stated that the Tin-Can Island Port (TCIP) and Lagos Port Complex (LPC) handle between 60 and 65 percent of the cargoes coming into the country. This heavy volume of cargo has put a strain on the ports’ infrastructure. He emphasized that the reconstruction of the Tin-Can Island key wall is a priority in the NPA’s infrastructural renewal plans for all ports across the country.
Jime echoed the importance of infrastructure development, stating that the quality of infrastructure in the maritime industry is crucial for Nigeria to be competitive and fulfill its aspiration of becoming the maritime hub in the West Africa sub region. He stressed the need to focus on developing ports to international standards, as it is essential for achieving the desired objectives.
The ports in Lagos, including TCIP and LPC, have been handling cargo beyond their capacity for the past 20 years. The pressure on these ports underscores the urgency to address infrastructure challenges and take steps to improve their capacity and efficiency.
Both the NPA and NSC recognize the significance of infrastructure development in enhancing the competitiveness of Nigerian ports and positioning the country as a leading maritime hub in the region.
