The proposed $2.59 billion deep seaport project in Badagry could open an endless vista of economic opportunities for Nigeria and investors if actualised, as the popular Lagos city remains the superhighway to ECOWAS and Europe, the Badagry Chamber of Commerce and Industry has emphasised.
The President of Badagry Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Mr. Yahaya Oladiran Idirs during a meeting with select maritime journalists posited that the deep seaport in Badagry could serve as a transhipment hub for landlocked countries of Niger Republic and Chad. He called on the Federal Government, through the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and promoters of the seaport to quickly resolve issues threatening the timely development of the project.
“With the huge investment opportunities and vibrant infrastructure in Lagos State, Badagry is fully ready for the proposed deep seaport because it is the superhighway to ECOWAS and Europe. Badagry is home of the most significant border post in Nigeria, Seme Border that aslo enjoys good intermodal transportation systems including good waterways and Lagos-Sokoto Expressway that can serve as a transhipment route to landlocked countries of Niger Republic and Chad,” Idris told executives of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria, (MARAN) who were at a retreat.
A retired Deputy Comptroller of the Nigeria Customs Service, Idris stressed that both Niger Republic and Chad prefer Nigerian ports for their importations.
He said: “We are fully aware of the economic viabilities of Badagry. It is a superhighway to ECOWAS and Europe and the home of the most significant border post in Nigeria. Majority of Nigerian cargo stemmed down at ports in Benin Republic and Togo Republic will be dropped at Badagry Deep Seaport. The port will serve as a transhipment hub for landlocked countries of Niger Republic and Chad.
President of the Badagry Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Yahaya Oladiran Idirs.
“Badagry has a good waterway. It makes it easier to come to Badagry and down to Benin Republic through the lagoon. As a matter of fact, the port will lead to a considerable reduction in smuggling, if not by zero percent but at least by 20%, when completed.”
The retired Customs officer maintained that the construction of the port would attract more investors to Badagry and provide job opportunities for artisans and vendors.
He called on the Federal Government, Lagos State Government and promoters of the port to come to a roundtable and resolve all the nitty gritty 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 settle the grey areas in the port agreement. The port will add to the growth of Badagry,” he said.
In August 2024, the Chief Executive Officer of the Badagry Port Development Limited, Didi Ndiomu, told the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola that the Badagry Deep Seaport project was in its second phase which is the implementation and sourcing of strategic financial partners.
Two years ealier, on March 1, 2022, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, told a stakeholders meeting in Badagry that the deep seaport, estimated at $2.59bn expected to be one of the largest in Africa, would kick off in June that year, but certain unresolved issues came in the way of the project’s implementation.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola
On whether there is a need for another deep seaport at Badagry since there is one in Lekki, the Chamber of Commerce chief, 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.
On the land border closure to vehicles, Idris said Nigeria’s border is too porous and too laborious to manage considering its vastness and the country is losing a lot of revenue to vehicle smugglers who are taking advantage of this closure.
According to him, the major casualties are the officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service who have lost their lives while chasing smugglers in the forest.
He advised the federal government to open up the borders and allow vehicles to coming to avoid revenue loss and unwarranted death of officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service.
On trade facilitation, Idris posited that trade facilitation is a collective responsibility among importers, customs agents, the Customs and other agencies involved in free-flow of cargo in and out of the port.
“Trade can be facilitated when importers are honest with their consignments. Lack of transparency brings about multiple debit notes everywhere. Trade facilitation starts with importers, their agents and the Customs.
“Also, NAFDAC and SON treating the same products delays trade facilitation. Government has to intervene and delineate functions of these agencies properly. Above all, some goods need reclassification,” he noted.
