Ports concession agreement will be concluded soon, says minister

Mu’azu Sambo, minister of transportation, says the concession agreement for terminal operators at Nigerian seaports would be concluded soon.

Sambo said this on Friday during a tour of Lagos seaports and terminals.

The ports concession agreement has been on since 2018.

Sambo said all necessary factors have been considered in the new agreement which is expected to correct the shortcomings in the first concession agreement.

The minister added that automation was the only way to drive efficiency at the nation’s seaports, and further encouraged the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to intensify efforts geared towards automated processes.

Sambo, while commending the efforts of terminal operators in enhancing port activities, also appreciated and acknowledged the massive job opportunities available for Nigerians at the terminals.

“At SIFAX alone, I have learnt that over 7,000 Nigerians have been employed. Each Nigerian employed means that a minimum of ten people are being cared for either directly or indirectly,” he said.

“So, this means that SIFAX is responsible for feeding over 70,000 Nigerians. This is just one terminal caring for this number of people and probably educating their children.”

“While we encourage NPA to improve automation, we are thinking seriously about the port community system because it is crucial to the development of the maritime sector.

“So, with automation and an efficient port community system, all port processes will be enhanced very soon.”

Sambo, who also inspected the dilapidated portion of the Tin Can Island Port quay apron, asked Mohammed Bello-Koko, managing director of NPA, and the engineers to forward the ‘as-built’ plan of the jetty, alongside other documents to his office for immediate action.