The Chief Operating Officer, Lekki Port, Laurence Smith, has charged stakeholders to work together to unlock the full potential of the maritime industry to ensure Nigeria becomes a major player in global trade.
Speaking on ‘Nigerian Maritime: Unlocking Potential, Overcoming Challenges’, Smith explained that the maritime sector remains a crucial artery of the country’s economy that is positioned to drive growth, create employment, and connect Nigeria to the global market.
He stated that the delivery of Lekki Port by its promoters, Tolaram and China Harbour Engineering Company, exemplifies what can be achieved with strategic investment in modern infrastructure.
Smith stated that due to the enhanced capacity of Lekki Port, it was able to receive the CMA-CGM SCANDOLA, the largest vessel to berth in Nigerian waters.
While applauding the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for investing hundreds of dollars to upgrade its facilities, he urged all other government agencies located in all the ports to devise a long-term strategy for multimodal evacuation of cargo.
He also noted that with the right investments in infrastructure, security, and regulatory reforms, the maritime sector holds the potential to become a powerhouse of economic growth and development for the country.
The Managing Director of the NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko announced that the authority and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) will collaborate to actualise 24-hour port operations and ensure cargo owners take delivery of their consignments without delays.
He noted that this will now consequently reduce non-tariff trade barriers.
