By ADAKU WALTER
Promoters of the Lekki Deep Sea Port project, Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited, have disclosed that the port will commence operations before the end of the year, as it had reached 85 per cent completion as of last month.
An update released on the project, which is expected to be the deepest port in sub-Saharan Africa, revealed that the project was due for completion in September 2022 and would be operational by the end of the year.
Information released on the company’s official social media pages also revealed that dredging and reclamation works have reached 93.78 per cent completion and the quay wall had reached 89.96 per cent completion, while breakwater and the landside infrastructure have reached 83.63 per cent and 74.35 per cent completion respectively.
Speaking on the construction progress, Managing Director of Lekki Port, Du Ruogang, explained that its engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor, China Harbour Engineering LFTZ Enterprise, was working to ensure delivery of the facility even ahead of schedule.
Read Also: Gambia seeks MOWAC’s technical cooperation to boost maritime sector
He said a distinguishing feature of the port was its draught capacity of 16.5 metres and a turning circle of 600 metres, which would enable it to handle the largest generation of vessels.
He further disclosed that the port is built to leverage cutting-edge technology, pointing out that upon commencement of port operations, which will be handled by the Lekki Freeport Terminal (a subsidiary of CMA CGA), the screening and processing of shipment would be completely automated, thereby promoting efficient and seamless service to the users.
According to him, the Lekki Port is being constructed with the framework of a modern port in mind, as it boasts of state-of-the-art equipment, such as Rubber Tyre Gantry cranes, which can be used for intermodal operations to stack containers, ship to shore cranes and handling equipment to deliver 30 moves per hour.
He said upon completion, the Lekki Deep Sea Port would be one of the modern ports in West Africa, offering enormous support to the commercial operations of Nigeria and the West African region.
