Navy steps up security for new Lekki Deep Seaport

The Nigerian Navy has deployed two gunboats to secure vessels at berth at the $1.5billion Lekki seaports and vessels stationed at the anchorage against insecurity and maritime related crimes.

Speaking, during a facility tour by Business Editors, the safety manager, Lekki Seaport, Samuel Azanar, said with the two gunboats, the port and vessels waiting at anchorage to discharge at any facilities at the Lagos free zone are safe and secured.

He also stated that 70 per cent of cargoes coming to West Africa are destined for Nigerian markets.

According to him, with the strategic position of the seaport, foreign liners would prefer to bring their consignments to Nigeria instead of Lome Port.

He noted that the port had a natural anchorage of 300 metres draught compare to other ports in the region.

Azanar noted that before bigger vessels go to Togo, Ghana and Ivory Coast, they would first sail to Nigeria, adding that this was the competitive edge the port had over other countries in West Africa.

He stated further that business men would prefer to come to Nigeria where there is market for their liners than other neighbouring ports.

Azanar explained that the NPA which is the regulator determine the tariffs to be charged in the port, but said Lekki Port operate a competitive tariffs for importers.

He noted that at the peak of operation, the port would at least berth 10 ships at anchorage, stressing that the port had handled seven vessels between April and May 2023. Weekly, he said that the port could handled three smaller vessels and two bigger vessels because of the equipment in the seaport.