By Ifeyinwa Obi

Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, has said that the current administration remains committed to strengthening the country’s maritime industry, to ensure that the nation’s intermodal transport system becomes one of the best in the world.

Speaking at the 12th Intermodal Africa Exhibition and Conference in Lagos, Umar said: “The maritime sector remains a key sector of the economy whose enormous potential deserves continuous harnessing to meet the expectation of government and the citizenry. In the last two years, Nigeria has been carrying out a number of reforms aimed at enhancing operational efficiency at the various ports.

“For instance, 24 hours operation has been achieved in the Lagos Ports, where more than 60 percent of our port activities take place. For the long term, the Federal Government is making concerted efforts towards ensuring the development of deep sea ports in the country. This is the ultimate solution to the current port congestion as the cargo handling is presently beyond their designed capacities.”

He noted  that the Federal Government had approved the development of the Lekki deep seaport in Lagos to handle bigger vessels, and also create employment.

“The Port is to be developed under Public Private Partnership, PPP, initiative. Other proposed deep seaports are Ibaka deep seaport in Akwa Ibom State;  Badagary deep seaport in Lagos; Olokola deep seaport in Ogun and Ondo States; Ogidigbe, near Escravos in Delta State which is expected to be the hub for gas revolution initiative of the Federal Government and Agge deep seaport in Bayelsa State. The processes for the realisation of these ports are at various stages.

“As you are aware, government had earlier approved the establishment of Calabar Channel Management Company, a joint venture between the Nigerian Ports Authority and Messrs. Niger Global Limited, to guarantee the sustainability of the Calabar Channel. This joint venture arrangement is similar to the ongoing Lagos and Bonny Channel Management Companies that are managing the channels,” he said.