By: Joy Enamuna

The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) Chairman of Tin Can Port Chapter, Fwrd. Emeka Paul Chiedozie, has commended the promoters of the Lekki Deep Sea Port- Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited (LPLEL) and the Terminal Operator-Lekki Freeport Terminal (LFT) for expressing their readiness of the Port for transhipment operations and restore the status of Nigeria as a cargo transhipment hub, especially within the West Africa region.

Fwrd.Emeka Paul Chiedozie who made this statement shortly after taking glimpse look at the hugh Multi Trilions dollars investment made at that port said “it worth commending, l am an investor, the concessionires deserves commending, l applaud them honestly. Adding that if only same can be replicated at TinCan port in which most of all the port facilities have been delapidated, except for few terminals.

“Fews days ago l was very glad when the Chief Executive Officer of Lekki Freeport Terminal, Mr Yann Magarian, said the Port is strategically positioned and well-equipped to help recover the transhipment of cargo lost to neighbouring West African countries and landlocked countries such as Niger and Chad Republic, meaning more business for Frieght Forwarders”.

Before now, Trace News Magazine, had sighted a press release which was on a media parley held on Port’s readiness for transhipments.

According to release” the Chief Operating Officer Lekki Port, Laurence Smith, stressed that the Lekki Port project is the gateway to the maritime and beyond. I have not seen any investment like this anywhere other than in Dubai. This port can generate hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue for Nigeria and hundreds of thousands of jobs”.

In the same vain, the Chief Commercial Officer, Lekki Freeport Terminal, Kehinde Olubi-Neye, commended the Federal and the Lagos State Governments for their support, especially on the work progress on the network of roads connecting the Port for cargo evacuation.

He disclosed stated that the management of Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited (LPLEL) and the terminal operator-Lekki Freeport Terminal (LFT), as well as other companies, have been in strategic meetings with the Lagos Ministry of Transportation for a holistic traffic management framework for the entire axis including the deployment of a vehicle booking system that would complement its comprehensive E-Call-Up System initiative.

Olubi-Neye explained that the automation process at the Port is linked to the automated gate that allows for a vehicle booking system where truck drivers are required to book appointments in advance.
He revealed that the Port had completed its truck park with the capacity to accommodate 150 trucks at a time.

Delivering the votes of thanks at the end of the parley, the Executive Director, Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited (LPLEL) Mrs. Adesuwa Ladoja described the Lekki Deep Sea Port as a project of pride not only for the promoters but for the government and the people of Nigeria.

The media parley was also attended by the representatives of all the regulators at the Port, including NPA, NEPZA, The Nigerian Customs Service NDLEA, Nigeria Police, and DSS. All the government agencies present pledged their support and cooperation to the success of the Port.