Lekki Port to create 112,000 jobs, dominate in West Africa
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Lekki Deep Seaport, now at 96 per cent completion to launch in December – and dominate its kind in West Africa – is expected to create 112,000 jobs, revised from 70,000 by new Transportation Minister Muazu Sambo.
The port would also berth the largest ships in the world, he enthused, saying it would impact positively on the economy with its capacity to create more jobs and put food on the tables of many.
“The Lekki Deep Seaport project, which is the second after Onne Deep Sea Port in Nigeria, is very significant, because the largest ships in the world can berth at the port.
“That means more tonnage, more cargo, more revenue for the port and for the country, more economic activities,” Sambo said in Jalingo.
“And above all, more jobs. Like I said, over 112,000 both direct and indirect jobs will be created as a result of the creation of the Lekki Deep Seaport.
“This will be in the first few years and as time goes on and as activities expand, the number of jobs will even multiply, and that is what is good for us.
“For as more jobs we have, the more our ability to put food on the tables of many Nigerians.’’
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Road projects continue
Sambo said his redeployment from the Ministry of Works and Housing to that of Transportation would not affect the execution of road projects in Taraba, according to reporting by Nairametrics.
“I have been given assurance from the Ministry of Works and Housing that as soon as funds are released from the Federal Ministry of Finance, contractors will receive their outstanding payments and will be able to continue with their work.
“My movement to the Ministry of Transportation does not mean that the impact of infrastructure in Taraba as far as road is concerned will end.
“Even in the Federal Ministry of Transportation, we have agencies that have corporate social responsibilities to execute projects.
“Such corporate social responsibilities will include all those activities that will touch the lives of the common man, including township roads.
“And I intend to explore that option to be able to bring more succour to the people of Taraba State.’’
About Lekki Port
Lekki Deep Seaport, designed to be a game-changer in Nigeria’s maritime economy, is being constructed by China Habour Engineering.It is a $2 billion investment in the Lagos Free Trade Zone initiated by Tolaram Group, a Singaporean company.
The port is expected to generate huge job opportunities for Lagosians as well as boost federal efforts to decongest the Lagos Ports in Apapa and Tin Can.
President Muhammadu Buhari in July approved the designation of Lekki Deep Seaport as a customs port and approved wharf.
