The Chief Operating Officer of Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited, Laurence Smith, has said that has opened talks with potential operators of the Liquid berth terminals.
Smith who stated this recently in Lagos while addressing journalists during the firm’s end-of-the-year press briefing, added that the port will commence commercial operations in the first quarter of 2023.
“Lekki Port has already opened up discussions with potential operators of the liquid berth terminals, which is critical to the commencement of the construction of Phase 2 of the port,” he declared.
Smith added that trial operations will start once the installations are through.
“Full commercial operation will commence at the end of the first quarter of 2023, while the terminal operator, Lekki Free Port Terminal, will be carrying out trial operations once they complete the installation of all necessary port equipment and infrastructure.”
Also speaking, the Managing- Director of Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited, Mr Du Ruogang, has appealed for more support in the area of infrastructure to boost cargo evacuation.
He said that all necessary arrangements were being put in place for the official port commissioning by the president, Major General Muhammad Buhari (Rtd).
“While Lagos State government commenced work on the construction of access roads leading to the port, there was an appeal for more support in the area of infrastructural development to ensure easy cargo movement out of the port,” he averred.
Ruogang appreciated the Ministry of Transportation, Nigerian Port Authority, Nigerian Shippers Council and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency for their contribution to making the port a reality.
He noted that the terminal operator, Lekki Free Port Terminal (LFT), was putting everything in place to give a world-class port experience adding that all the relevant agencies have been sensitised to undertake their roles in the new port.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Chief Operating Officer of Lekki Port, Mr Daniel Odibe, said that the Lagos State government has commenced work on the construction of access roads leading to the port.
Odibe said the management of Lekki Port has obtained Federal Government’s approval for the railway coming from the port to be connected to the proposed eastern coastal rail line through Ijebu-Ode.
He further stated that the port was perfecting plans to bring in two automated scanners to fast-track cargo examination at the port.
He said the scanners are expected to arrive in Nigeria by February 2023.
