Harboursandport.com: Lagos - Regulatory agencies in the maritime sector, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA and the Nigerian Shippers Council, NSC have assured stakeholders in the industry of strict regulation for effective and efficient services for them.
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Speaking at the official unveiling of the Lekki Deep Sea Port in Lagos on Monday, the Managing Director of NPA, Mohammed Bello Koko said that NPA has acquired the relevant pilotage facilities to ensure smooth operation of the port.
He also disclosed that landlocked West African countries are besieging Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA of the use of the Lekki Deep Sea Port for the shipment of their cargos.
He said that these countries are intending to use the Lekki Deep Sea Port to ship in their cargos via the Dala Inland port in Kano from where such cargos will then move to their various countries.
Bello-Koko said: " Three four years ago when we came here, it was just a sand filled area. Construction started about two years ago and today we are talking about commissioning.
"We thank the Ministry of Transportation for their support. Lekki Deep Seaport for us is the beginning, Nigerian Ports Authority will be the regulator who will also be responsible for marine services . We have already gone ahead to purchase all the necessary equipment to ensure safe and secured berthing in this port.
"While sitting here, we already have a certain neighbouring African country that want to move its from Lagos ports to Dala port in Kano to its country because of they seem the possibility of a smooth operation and efficiency," he said.
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, NSC, Emmanuel Jime also speaking at the event, said that the Council will be monitoring the activities of the management of the port to ensure that the quality and efficacy of services rendered at the port is not only efficient but is cheap.
Similarly, the Director - General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Bashir Jamoh has said that the port is not only one of the very best in the sub-region but also in the continent.
Jamoh said the port with an investment of $360 billion and employment opportunity for about 190,000 Nigerians.
Jamoh said that Maritime industry is one sector that can be harnessed to solve the nation's economic problems.
Jamoh said: "I am the happiest person and that has to do with development of shipping. Today we are seeing the emergence of one of the best ports not only in West Africa but in Africa.
"Today, Nigeria is experiencing a lot of issues that has to do with our economy and from time to time we keep saying that the maritime industry is one of the best sector to apart from oil and gas to pursue the development of nation's economy."
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