President Muhammadu Buhari was present in Lagos yesterday to unveil the historic Lekki Deep Sea Port located at Itoke village, Ibeju-Lekki, in Lagos State and observed the first offloading from CMA CGM Mozart at the quay.
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Lagos State Government, Tolarams Group (owners of the Lagos Free Zone), and China Harbour Engineering Company are partners in the project, which has a total investment of about $1.5 billion.
Buhari presided over the ceremony, which saw the offloading from the container ship flying the flag of Malta in front of the Governor of Lagos State — Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Minister Of Transportation, Muazu Sambo, the Chinese ambassador to Nigeria, Ciu Jianchun, as well as other senior government officials and traditional leaders.
Speaking at the occasion, Sanwo-Olu said, “Mr President, we are happy this is happening in your time. It all started in your time and it’s been completed in your time.
“We are excited that the size of the vessels that will berth at the port would be four times the size of vessels that currently berth at Apapa and Tin Can Island Port.
“We are excited that in your own time, something fresh has been birthed in this country and it is going to generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs.”
During the facility tour, Buhari said lauded the efforts of Sanwo-Olu, saying: “I am really happy with what I see and this shows clearly the love Mr Governor has for his people.”
