A renowned stakeholder in the Nigeria’s maritime industry, Mr Adetokunbo Kayode, has said the Lekki Deep Seaport will boost the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 200 per cent when operational.
Kayode, who is the President, Nigeria Private Sector Alliance, insisted that the Port would also encourage the diversification of the economy.
Disclosing this to newsmen during an interview, he described the Port as one of the biggest in Africa, saying it would be of huge benefit to the nation’s economy.
Kayode, a former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, said upon its completion, the project would result in better efficiency in the import and export of goods in the country.
“Of course, it will also help us to reduce the stress that has been created by Apapa Port, which is a colonial port which we ought to have been done away with 50 years ago.
”But right now, we have this opportunity, this first phase which hopefully should be completed before the end of the year would help to alleviate all the challenges of international trade in Nigeria.
“The main aim of government is to diversify the economy which includes expanding your export trade.
“So, this new Port will help greatly to increase the opportunity for enhancing our export business, especially in a volumetric business like agriculture and mining.
“Right now, we do very minimal solid mineral export, which is just a shame but with this opportunity and other policies coming into place.
“It will help proper development of the mining industry, the beneficiation industry as well as the processing industry for minerals and agricultural products and we will be able to ship things out”, he said.
Kayode continued that the port has the potential to increase Nigeria’s GDP by almost 200 per cent because it will open doors for people to do business and help the nation benefit from the gains of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
“You know Nigerians are not lazy people, it’s just that there is this disconnect between government and the private enterprise.
“So, with this continued efforts of government to enhance this very important cooperation between the private and the public sector, we can do a lot more”, he stated.
Kayode, therefore, urged the Federal Government to profer solutions to the challenges of a good road network and rail connectivity to the port for better service delivery of the project.
Also Speaking, Managing Director, Nigerian Export Processing Zone Authority (NEPZA), Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, said the Lekki Port could accommodate the biggest vessel in the world, and create jobs for thousands of Nigerians.
“We are going to have thousands of Nigerians working here as the effect on the GDP will be awesome.
”The location of the port here is going to open doors for those who want to have their factories and production centres around the Lagos Free Zone.
“The effect of this is that Nigerian goods will be competitive. Companies will be able to employ more Nigerians rather than go outside to employ foreigners”, Adesugba said.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Mr Emmanuel Jime, said the Lekki Port would boost other ancillary businesses in the country.
“It means that the economic imperative in terms of profit making will also quadruple because the more business that you do the less costly it is to do that business as well.
“We are moving away from the kind of gridlock that we had in Apapa and Tin-can and I’m happy to be part of history of this event”, he said.