By Steve Agbota
The Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor, China Harbour Engineering LFTZ Enterprise (CHELE), a subsidiary of China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) has completed the construction of $1.5 billion Lekki deep seaport and has handed over to Tolaram Group, the developer of the port.
The Lekki deep seaport is the biggest and deepest seaport in Nigeria with a depth of 16.5 meters and when operational, the port will become one of the most modern ports in West Africa and Central Africa and will support the growth of commercial operations in the region.
To ease cargo evacuation, the Lagos State Government said it would hasten the construction of the six lane highways, which was approved recently along the port corridors.
Speaking at the Lekki Deep Seaport Construction Completion ceremony in Ibeju-Lekki on Monday, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said ahead of the commencement of commercial operations at Lekki deep seaport, bad road, traffic wouldn’t be an inhibition to seamless cargo evacuation from the seaport.
According to him, the state will keep to the promise of ensuring the completion of the road from Eleko Junction to Ajah and from Eleko Junction back to the port.
“I am going to meet with the contractor in charge of the road construction to give them marching order to ensure the completion of the six lane highways to Lekki port and that the road does not constitute any traffic gridlock during container evacuation,” he said. He also urged the host communities to clear all the shanties along the right of way to provide ample ambiance to the transport system within the port city.
Earlier in his welcome address, Chairman, Lekki Port Board of Directors, Biodun Dabiri, said the port would begin full commercial operations after the presidential commissioning coming soon, saying that it will contribute to the growth of the Nigerian economy by creating about 170,000 direct and indirect jobs.
The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Cui Jianchuncommended CHEC for displaying excellence in their project skills and promoting China’s commitment to Africa’s infrastructure development drive.