The Badagry Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture has stated that the proposed $2.59bn Badagry Deep Seaport Project could serve as a transshipment hub to landlocked countries if actualised.
The body noted that the popular Lagos city remains the superhighway to the Economic Community of West African States and Europe.
Making this observation during a meeting with select maritime journalists, the President of the Chamber, Mr. Yahaya Idirs, posited that the project could serve as a transhipment hub for the landlocked countries of Niger Republic and Chad.
He called on the federal government, through the Nigerian Ports Authority and promoters of the seaport, to quickly resolve issues threatening the timely development of the project.
“We are fully aware of the economic viability of Badagry. It is a superhighway to ECOWAS and Europe and the home of the most significant border post in Nigeria. The majority of Nigerian cargo stemmed down at ports in the Benin Republic and Togo Republic will be dropped at Badagry Deep Seaport. The port will serve as a transshipment hub for the landlocked countries of Niger Republic and Chad,” he said.
According to him, with the huge investment opportunities and vibrant infrastructure in Lagos State, Badagry is ready for the proposed deep seaport because it is the superhighway to ECOWAS and Europe.
Idris, who is also a retired deputy comptroller of the Nigeria Customs Service, stressed that both Niger Republic and Chad prefer Nigerian ports for their importations.
He said that good waterways make it easier to come from Badagry to the Benin Republic through the lagoon.
Idris mentioned that the port will lead to a considerable reduction in smuggling; if not by zero per cent, then at least by 20 per cent, when completed.
He called on the Federal Government, Lagos State Government, and promoters of the port to come to a roundtable and tackle all the areas that are hindering the commencement of the port construction.
“As a chamber, we are expecting the construction of the port to start in 2025. We are enjoining the government, the promoters, and landowners to talk and address the grey areas in the port agreement that will add to the growth of Badagry,” he said.
On whether there is a need for another deep seaport at Badagry since there is one in Lekki, Idris averred that Badagry deep seaport is desirable considering the massive market of Lagos and that the promoters must have done their visibility study before proposing the establishment of the port in Badagry.
