The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Bashir Jamoh, has said the Badagry Deep Seaport project in Lagos State is a strategic step towards the development of Nigeria as a global maritime hub.
Jamoh stated this when he paid a courtesy visit to the paramount ruler of Badagry Kingdom, De-Wheno Aholu Menu Toyi 1, the Akran of Badagry, according to a statement emailed by the NIMASA Corporate Communications Head, Philip Kaynet.
According to the statement titled ‘Jamoh underscores strategic importance of Badagry Deep Seaport’, the visit was designed to honour the traditional ruler for allocating land to NIMASA to establish a presence in the community,
The NIMASA boss was also quoted to have said that the takeoff of the deep seaport project would soon commence, as the foundation was expected to be laid this month.
He said, “Nigeria is strategically located at a significant point in the Atlantic Ocean, with about 853 kilometres coastline, which gives us a geographic advantage to become a maritime hub for not only the West and Central African region, but also the entire maritime trading world. And with over 70 per cent of cargo bound for West and Central Africa destined for Nigeria, we also have a huge commercial advantage.
“The Badagry Deep Seaport, planned to be Africa’s biggest and most advanced seaport when it becomes operational, will help to maximise this extraordinary maritime potential. This is more so given the strategic place of Badagry in the region.”
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Jamoh thanked the traditional ruler for his hospitality and the land allocated to NIMASA. He promised that the land would be judiciously utilised.
The NIMASA boss assured that he would work with the traditional ruler and the kingdom to see to the implementation of the deep seaport project.
Commenting on the deep seaport project, the Alipoto of Badagry Kingdom, Chief Gbenga Fayemi, said it was important for Badagry and the country, stressing that the project was suitably located given Badagry’s location between the lagoon and the ocean.
The port is proposed to be about four kilometres of the quay and approximately 620 hectares of dedicated port facilities.
It will include facilities for handling containers, dry bulk, liquid bulk, roll-on-roll-off, and general cargo, as well as oil and gas operations support.
