The management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has expressed its readiness to begin building its office in Badagry, Lagos, the Director-General of the agency, Dr. Bashir Jamoh has said.
Jamoh who dropped the hint when he paid a courtesy visit to the paramount ruler of Badagry Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, De-Wheno Aholu Menu Toyi 1, the Akran of Badagry stated that the building of NIMASA office in the coastal town was part of the moves to ensure the actualization of the multi-billion naira Badagry Deep Seaport project.
According to him, the construction of the deep seaport in Lagos State was a strategic step towards the development of Nigeria as a global maritime hub.
Giving an insight into the purpose of the visit in a statement signed by NIMASA Head, Corporate Communications, Mr. Philip Kyanet and made available to Maritime Bits, Jamoh said it was meant to honour the traditional ruler and his kingdom for allocating land to NIMASA to establish a presence in the community as Nigeria’s maritime regulatory authority, before the take-off of the deep seaport project, which foundation is expected to be laid this month.
His words: “Nigeria is strategically located at a significant point in the Atlantic Ocean, with about 853 kilometres coastline, which gives us a geographic advantage to become a maritime hub for not only the West and Central African region, but also the entire maritime trading world. And with over 70 per cent of cargo bound for West and Central Africa destined for Nigeria, we also have a huge commercial advantage.
“The Badagry Deep Seaport, planned to be Africa’s biggest and most advanced seaport when it becomes operational, would help to maximise this extraordinary maritime potential. This is more so given the strategic place of Badagry in the region.”
The NIMASA helmsman thanked the Akran for his hospitality and the land allocated to NIMASA. He promised that the land would be judiciously utilised.
He assured that he would work with the traditional ruler and the kingdom to see to the implementation of the deep seaport project.
Jamoh who was personally received at the palace by the Akran and his Council of Chiefs was presented with the Badagry Pilgrimage Award. It is a special recognition accorded dignitaries for visiting the town.
Commenting on the deep seaport project, the Alipoto of Badagry Kingdom, Chief Gbenga Fayemi, said it was important for Badagry and the country, stressing that the project is suitably located since Badagry lies between the lagoon and the ocean.
Princess A. F. I. Senami Akran said the visit of the NIMASA Director-General and the coming of the deep seaport to Badagry represented a blessing to the community.
The Badagry Deep Seaport project is being executed through a public-private partnership overseen by the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, Lagos State Government, as well as a private consortium of APM Terminals, Orlean Invest, Oando, Terminal Investment Limited (TIL), and Macquarie.
The deep seaport is located in the Gberefun area of Badagry along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, about 55 kilometres (34 miles) West of the Apapa and Tin Can Island Port complexes.
The port is proposed to be about four kilometres of quay and approximately 620 hectares of dedicated port facilities. It will also include facilities for handling containers, dry bulk, liquid bulk, roll-on-roll-off, and general cargo, as well as oil and gas operations support.
It will also have about 480 hectares of Industrial and Logistic Park Zone.
