Laurence Smith, Chief Operating Officer of Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited, has stated that talks have begun with possible operators of the liquid berth terminals.
Smith, who announced this recently in Lagos during the firm’s end-of-year press briefing, added that the port will begin commercial operations in the first quarter of 2023.
He said Lekki Port has already begun conversations with potential operators of the liquid berth terminals, which is important to the start of Phase 2 port construction.
Smith stated that after the installations are completed, trial operations will begin.
Full commercial operation will begin at the end of the first quarter of 2023, while the terminal operator, Lekki Free Port Terminal, will conduct trial operations until all relevant port equipment and infrastructure have been installed.
Mr. Du Ruogang, Managing Director of Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited, also spoke out, pleading for more infrastructure support to increase cargo evacuation.
He stated that all required preparations were being made for the president, Major General Muhammad Buhari, to officially open the port (Rtd).
Ruogang thanked the Nigerian Port Authority, Nigerian Shippers Council, and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency for their assistance in making the port a reality.
He said that the terminal operator, Lekki Free Port Terminal (LFT), was putting everything in place to provide a world-class port experience and that all relevant authorities had been made aware of their responsibilities in the new port.
Meanwhile, Mr. Daniel Odibe, the Deputy Chief Operating Officer of Lekki Port, stated that the Lagos State government has begun work on the construction of access roads leading to the port.
Odibe stated that the operator of Lekki Port has gained Federal Government approval for the railway connecting the port to the proposed eastern coastal rail line via Ijebu-Ode.
He also added that the port was finalizing plans to bring in two automated scanners to expedite cargo examination.
He stated that the scanners are scheduled to arrive in Nigeria in February 2023.
Odibe, on the other hand, requested further assistance in the field of infrastructure development to enable easy freight flow out of the port.
