President of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari officially inaugurated the Lekki Deep Sea Port in Itoke village, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, on 23 January, while observing the offloading of the CMA CGM Mozart at the port's quay.
This US$1.5 billion project is a joint venture between the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Nigerian Ports Authority, the Lagos State Government, the Tolarams Group (owner of the Lagos Free Zone), and China Harbour Engineering Company.
In Lagos, the country's president also inaugurated the Imota Rice Mill, conceptualised and completed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State as well as the Bestaf Lubricant at MRS Holdings Company Limited. The 200m litre lubricant plant, which covers the whole value chain of lubricants, is the first of its kind in West Africa, according to a statement.
Muazu Sambo, Nigeria's minister of transportation, highlighted the project as one of the administration's significant legacies, saying that when operations begin, over 170,000 jobs will be generated.
”It is estimated that the overall economic benefits will reach more than US$360 billion, becoming a new engine of economic development that will empower the southwest region and the whole country,” stated Ciu Jianchun, Chinese ambassador to Nigeria.
Jianchun noted that the port is the number one deep-sea port in West Africa, as well as one of the most modern and efficient ports in Sub-Saharan Africa.
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