The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) announced on Monday that the Federal Government is set to invest a substantial sum of $1.1 billion in the rehabilitation of six ports across the country. This measure aims to address the long-standing challenges faced by these ports and enhance overall operational efficiency.
The NPA emphasized the need for infrastructure upgrades to reduce the high turnaround times of vessels and to modernize cargo handling processes. Specifically, the investment will focus on rehabilitating the TinCan, Apapa, Rivers, Delta, Calabar, and Onne ports, which have not undergone significant reconstruction since they were established, some over a century ago.
Decaying quay walls, which prevent the deployment of modern cargo handling equipment, such as ship-to-shore cranes, have been identified as a major hindrance to port efficiency. As a result, vessels often experience extended turnaround times, impacting trade and economic activities.
The rehabilitation plans encompass various critical components. These include the reconstruction of quay walls and pavements at the Tin-Can Island Port Complex, replacement of the old gravity wall at Lagos Port Complex (Apapa Quays), rehabilitation of the collapsed Escravos Breakwaters in Warri, reconstruction of quay walls at Onne Port, and reconstruction of sheet pile walls at Warri Old Port (Terminal C). Additionally, the project involves the rehabilitation of the Calabar Dockyard, Mciver Jetty, Calabar Port Jetty, and Millero Jetty at Calabar Port.
Upon completion, the rehabilitated ports are expected to operate at full capacity with improved efficiency. The initiative aims to reduce the turnaround time of vessels and the dwell time of cargo, ultimately facilitating smoother trade operations and boosting economic growth.
