The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday called on the Nigerian Ports Authority to accelerate the approval process for the state to build two seaports in Lekki and Badagry.
The governor said the state had already deployed resources and manpower for the construction of the seaports, which would complement the capacities of the existing ports in Apapa and Tin Can Island.
Sanwo-Olu spoke while receiving members of the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Ports Decongestion, led by Yusuf Yakub.
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 the 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 the 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.
Sanwo-Olu said the setting up of a joint task force by the state and the Federal Government to tackle gridlock along the routes leading to the ports was to prepare the ground for full decongestion of the facilities.
He urged that the effort be complemented with a total overhaul of the seaports’ operations for improved efficiency.
Yakub, in his response, said the ad-hoc committee was set up by the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, to investigate the cause of congestion of the seaports and give recommendation towards solving the challenges for non-oil businesses to thrive.
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