Whereas the global leader in containerized seaport business, AP Moller-Maersk plans to invest $600 million in its port in Nigeria, everybody, even the Federal Government are expressing happiness.
But have we sat down to analyse what the foreign investor really want to do and how it will affect our indigenous shippers?
AP Moller is investing to raise its Nigerian infrastructure so as to increase its profit offtakes from Nigeria. The company will use infrastructure alone to do its business at the expense of struggling local shippers.
Analysts say the new infrastructure, if ever put in place, will only be sued by the company and no other.
Business Hilights recalls that the Chairman of A.P Moller-Maersk, Mr. Robert Maersk Uggla, had disclosed the decision during a meeting with President Tinubu on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday.
Highlighting Maersk’s longstanding engagement in Africa’s most populous nation and his belief in the future of Nigeria, Maersk Uggla said his company had made significant investments of over $2 billion in Nigerian ports and other activities.
He emphasized the potential for Nigerian ports to accommodate larger container ships and stressed the need for expanding port infrastructure to meet this demand while reducing the cost of logistics.
He said: ”We have seen a significant opportunity for Nigeria to cater for larger container ships. Historically, most of the West African coasts are already served by smaller ships. Currently, we see an opportunity to deploy larger ships to Nigeria. To achieve this, we need to expand the port infrastructure, especially in Lagos, where we need a bigger hub for logistics services. The growth potential is hard to quantify.
”We believe in Nigeria, and we will invest $600 million in existing facilities and make the ports accommodating for bigger ships. In my humble view, given that Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, Nigeria should have the best and biggest port and we are very eager to invest, and we will continue that dialogue with the relevant Nigerian authorities to explore further investment opportunities.
Responding, President Tinubu noted that this investment would complement the administration’s ongoing $1 billion investment in seaport reconstruction across the eastern and western seaports of Nigeria.
The President added that it would further support the country’s port modernization efforts and port process automation through his administration’s implementation of the national single window project, which is aimed at enhancing trade facilitation, easing import/export flow, reducing corruption at the ports, while improving the efficiency and transparency of port processes in Nigeria.
Tinubu said: “We appreciate your business and the contribution you have made and continue to make to our country’s economy over time. We do not take our partners for granted. A bet on Nigeria is a winning bet. It is also a bet that rewards beyond what is obtainable elsewhere.
“More investment opportunities are available, and my government has worked on various reforms to encourage investments. We need to encourage more opportunities for revenue expansion and minimize trans-shipments from larger ships to smaller ships.”
The President assured Maersk of his administration’s commitment to collaborating and creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the country.
He cited Maersk’s previous partnership in the development of the Ogun State container terminal as a testament to fruitful partnerships with the reputable logistics company.
