On September 6, 2023, Gboyega Oyetola, the minister of the marine and blue economy, was accompanied by Mohammed Bello Koko, managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), on a tour of the Lekki Deep Sea Port.
The purpose of the tour was to capitalize on the port’s comparative advantage in order to establish itself as a major maritime hub in Africa.
According to the head of the NPA, the port is notable for its automation, drive-through scanners, Super Post-Panamax size and store cranes, among other features, and was designed for quick cargo and vessel turnaround clearance to increase the competitiveness of Nigeria’s exports, particularly agro products, in the global markets.
Two Azimuth Stern Drives, the first in Africa, were recently acquired by the NPA and put to use at the Lekki Port to equip it for marine services.
Oyetola acknowledged his satisfaction with the top-notch facilities present at Lekki Port and vowed the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy’s commitment to making sure that the potential for national prosperity present at Lekki Deep Seaport are fully used.
According to reports, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s vision for national prosperity is being realized through the Nigerian Ports Authority, as evidenced by the new minister’s visit to Lekki Port, his second to NPA platforms in a week. This visit follows a tour of the port complexes in Lagos and TinCan Island.
The minister expressed regret over the 6,000 shipments that are idling at different ports in Nigeria and will be sold at auction to the general public.
According to Daily Trust, the minister made the remark in response to inquiries from media on September 6, 2023, while on a seven-day tour of organizations under his ministry in the Lagos region.