FG gives Lekki Deep Seaport 2022 operational deadline

The federal government on Sunday said promoters of the Lekki Deep Seaport must work toward ensuring the project becomes operational by 2022 adding that they must enter into an agreement to ensure the President Muhammadu Buhari commission the project the same year.

Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, according to the Blueprint, said the facility should commence cargo operations in two years time.

The minister spoke when he paid an on-the-spot-assessment of works at the facility in Lagos.

Addressing journalists, Mr Amaechi said “it was in March 2018 that the contract talks for this facility were launched. Yes, they have had glitches, including the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and a lockdown, but it is important that this project becomes operational by 2022.”

On whether he is impressed with the scope of work there, he replied “As a layman, my views might not matter, however, we must tie them to a written agreement that it must be commissioned by Mr President in 2022.

“There are so many things tied to a port construction. As a layman, I might not be able to say categorically that by 2022, Lekki seaport will be operational. There are so many factors that could work against that date like force majeure issues or if anything goes wrong with the contractor. That is why we need to tie them to a verbal and written agreement that by 2022, Lekki seaport must become operational.