LPLEL affirms Lekki Port readiness for operation

By Innocent Obasi

Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited (LPLEL) has said the first phase of the Lekki Deep Sea Port is ready for official commissioning and commercial operations.

Du Ruogang, the managing director of LPLEL made this disclosure recently at an end-of-the-year media conference held in Lagos.

This comes as the port’s promoters have started discussions with potential liquid berth terminal operators in preparation for the commencement of phase two’s construction.

Ruogang stated that all necessary  arrangements are being made for President Muhammadu Buhari to officially inaugurate the port, after which the facility would start carrying full commercial activities.

He said  the terminal operator, Lekki Free Port Terminal (LFT), was doing everything possible to provide a world-class port experience and that all relevant agencies had been made aware of their roles in this regard.

The managing director mentioned that while Lagos State government has started constructing access roads, there was an appeal for more help in the area of infrastructural development in order to enable seamless cargo movement.

Ruogang expressed gratitude to the federal government, including key agencies such as  the Ministry of Transportation, Nigerian Port Authority (NPA), Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for their contribution to making the port a reality.

Also speaking at the event, Laurence Smith, the chief operating officer, LPLEL, said the full commercial operation would start at the end of the Q1 2023 while trial operations would commence after the company completes the installation of necessary equipment and infrastructure.

Smith further disclosed that Lekki Port has already started discussing potential liquid berth terminal operators, which is essential for the start of phase two of the project’s construction.