By Mnena Iyorkegh, Abuja
The Lekki Free Zone, located along the Eastern Corridor of Lagos State, spans over 16,000 hectares and is a symbol of Nigeria’s determination to shift from a consumption-driven economy to one powered by production and exports.
Also, the Lekki Deep Sea Port, built on over 90 hectares of land in the heart of the Lagos Free Zone, is the first multi-purpose deep sea port in Nigeria and the deepest in West Africa.
With a commitment to transforming the Nigerian maritime business and becoming the maritime hub of the West African region, Lekki Port is fully automated with state-of-the-art facilities that guarantee quick turnaround time.
Speaking at a stakeholders meeting emanating from a Tour of the Lekki Free Zone, in Lagos, South West Nigeria, the Managing Director, Lekki Port, Mr. Wang Qiang, said the Lekki Deep Sea Port is expected to play a significant role in trade and industrial activity.
“We have a 45-year concession period, and during this time, we expect to generate about $360bn for Nigeria. This estimate was calculated in collaboration with the Federal Government.
“We fund the economy around this type of operation in Lekki port. So it only makes sense that Nigeria takes a cue from their experience and leverages on the subsistence they have achieved.
“And that’s what I see in this collaborative effort between the Chinese and the Nigerian government.
“I can even boast to tell you that exports through this port are leveraging with imports through this port. And we’ve never had it that good.
“When you have a balance of trade, then it shows that your economy is healthy, very healthy. It’s much more healthier than when you have only imports coming in and nothing to export. But Lekki port has been able to provide.”
He added that: “Most of the free zone enterprises now they are selling their products to the domestic market.
“But I think it is also very helpful to the economy, to the society, because they are selling it at a high quality and with a cheaper price, which our people they are enjoying, they are benefiting from it,” he added.
The Chief Operating Officer, Lekki Port, Mr Yang Xixiong, highlights the economic implications for both Nigeria and its partners.
“For the 45 years of the concessional period, it will contribute 361 billion US dollars to the Nigerian GDP.
“It will produce 170,000 job opportunities. Even from the beginning, from the construction period to up to now, Lekki Port has produced more than 5,000 job opportunities already.
“From the petrochemical supply value chain of Pinnacle Oil and Gas to automobiles, food processing to technology startups, industries here are producing goods that could soon replace imports, saving billions of dollars annually in foreign exchange,” he said.
Also speaking, the Port Manager, Nigerian Ports Authority, Mr. Emmanuel Anda, commended the progress achieved so far.
He expressed optimism that Nigeria could become a global export hub in the next decade if the momentum continues.
“Exports through this port are leveraging imports. We have never had it this good. If we continue on this line of business, in the next 10 to 15 years, we’ll be a global hub for exports,” he said.
The Port Manager, while stressing the improved infrastructure around the port, said that the NPA would continue to support the management in achieving its ambition of making Lekki Port a transshipment hub for the region.
“Access used to be an issue. It’s no longer an issue because the federal and state governments are determined to construct road networks.
“We are also working with federal and state authorities to enhance road access and inland connectivity,” he added.
He urged Nigerians to take advantage of the opportunities the port offers.
“The only challenge we have is that Nigerians are not taking the opportunity of what we have here.
“This is the best thing to have happened in Nigeria for quite some time. We need the public to come and experience the services we give out,” he added.
The Chief Commercial Officer, Lekki Freeport Terminal, Kehinde Olubi-Neye, highlighted the improvements in operations and access, adding that automation has boosted efficiency and reduced congestion.
” Lekki Port can handle the largest vessels in Nigeria”.
On her part, the Managing Director, Lagos Free Zone, Adesuwa Ladoja, said the Lekki Port stands as a model of resilience and innovation, with the surrounding strengthening value addition in exports.
“This port was developed during the COVID period, when most things were not happening in Nigeria, but this wonderful project was springing up. Lekki Port is something that is here to stay. It is something that is going to grow bigger.
It’s something that has brought world standards, world-class standards, into maritime operations in Nigeria”, she said
The Dean, Faculty of Arts, University of Lagos, Professor Akanbi Ilupeju, called for greater awareness of the Lekki Port. Stressing that the port’s impact is also being felt in nearby communities.
For the host community, the project has been a source of pride and opportunity.
Speaking on behalf of the Community, Mr. Adesanya Adeshina, commended the management’s corporate social responsibility efforts, including road construction, job creation, vocational training, scholarships, and educational support.
He urged the port’s management to continue with the support for the mutual benefit of all.
Lekki Port, under the regulation of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority as a Free Zone entity, boasts of a well-laid out container terminal with over 15,000 ground slots operated by Lekki Freeport Terminal.
Rising from over 90 hectares of land within the Lagos Free Zone, the $1.5 billion facility has redefined Nigeria’s maritime landscape and positioned Lagos as West Africa’s emerging logistics hub.
The Lekki Deep Seaport, constructed by China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC), is jointly owned by CHEC, Tolaram Group, the Lagos State Government, and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
Victoria Ibanga