Sanwo-Olu seeks FG’s approval for Badagry, Lekki seaports

Lagos state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Monday called on the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to accelerate the process of giving approval for the state to build two seaports in Lekki and Badagry.
The governor said the state has already deployed resources and manpower to the construction of the seaports, which he said, were being initiated to complement the capacities of the existing ports in Apapa and Tin Can Island.
Gov. Sanwo-Olu, who spoke while receiving members of the House of Representatives ad hoc Committee on Ports Decongestion led by Rep. Yusuf Yakub, said Lagos need two additional ports which would serve the state and also build the national economy.
He said: “Lagos needs to have two other ports which would not only serve us, but also build the national economy. We have initiated the development of Lekki seaport, which has started. We are building another port in Badagry.
“But, we are still in conversation with the NPA to grant the approval, because we have added five developers, financiers and partners on the Badagry port.
If we can finish the construction of both seaports, it would free up the congestion in Apapa axis and create new business hub for our people.”
The governor said the federal government’s move to grow the non-oil sector and boost the economy would be rewarding if the capacities of existing seaports were efficiently maximised.
He pointed out the need to enhance the efficiency of the Apapa and Tin Can Island seaports for improved non-oil revenue generation, stressing that the decongestion of the two ports was long overdue.
Gov. Sanwo-Olu said his visit to the two Lagos ports within 48 hours after he assumed office was an indication of the strategic role the two seaports play in sustaining the state’s 24-hour economy.
He said the setting up of a joint task force by the state and the federal governments to tackle gridlocks along the routes leading to the ports is a step to prepare the ground for full decongestion of the facilities, urging that the effort should be complemented with a total overhaul of the seaports’ operations for improved efficiency.
He added that “smooth operation of the Lagos seaports is not only critical to sustaining our commerce in Lagos state, it is also critical to the growth of the national economy.
“If in truth, we want to be serious about developing non-oil sector to boost the economy, it is important for us to take proper action and decision on our seaports because they have great potentials to completely transform the national economy.
“More importantly, we need to look for solution that will reflect on the two port gateways of this nation, which are the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports. It is clear that those ports are overwhelmed because the level of yearly turnout coming out of them has since doubled.”
The move by Lagos Government to build two additional ports, Sanwo-Olu pointed out, is part of the measures being undertaken by the state to support the federal government’s effort to decongest and reduce pressure on the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports.
Responding, Rep. Yakub said the ad hoc committee was set up by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, to investigate the cause of congestion of the seaports, with the task to proffer recommendation towards solving the existing challenges for non-oil businesses to thrive.
Describing the seaports as critical gateways, the lawmaker promised that the recommendations to be submitted by the committee to the House would lead to the maximum utilisation of the seaports as well as generate jobs for the youths.