In this report, ANOZIE EGOLE looks at how the ongoing road rehabilitation on the Leki port axis has changed the mode of cargo evacuation from the port
When the $1.5bn Lekki Deep Seaport commenced full commercial operations in April, it was greeted with mixed feelings. While some stakeholders were excited that the project would bring revenue to the government by processing transshipment cargoes, especially for neighboring landlocked countries, others were worried about the potential traffic gridlock the project may cause on that axis.
These worries came because the access roads to the port were riddled with traffic due to the poor state of roads in the axis.
At its inception, Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprises Limited, promoters of the port, relied heavily on barges for cargo evacuation due to the poor state of the connecting roads.
There were fears that the reliance on barges for cargo haulage would make the target of the project creating 169,972 jobs and generating $201bn revenue to the state and the Federal Government an illusion.
However, recent developments and infrastructure improvements in the area have reshaped the landscape, leading to a significant shift and more attention being paid to road haulage.
When The PUNCH visited the project recently, it was observed that there was an ongoing construction on the three major roads connecting the ports.
It was observed that the concrete expansion of the Lekki-Epe Expressway from Ajah to Eleko junction had been completed.
Also, the dualisation of the Lekki-Epe Road from Ibeju-Agbe to T-Junction in Epe was 95 per cent completed.
Further checks revealed that the upgrading of the Itokin to Ijebu-Ode Expressway was completed, while the expansion of the Oke-Oso/Itokin Road to Araga-Poka Road had also been completed. The Ijebu-Ode to Epe Road had also been completed with two toll gates mounted on the road.
Stakeholders speak
Meanwhile, maritime stakeholders, including licensed customs agents and truckers have expressed satisfaction with the level of work on the axis.
A trucker, Adeyinka Aroyewun, admitted that a lot of movements had started taking place on the axis.
He said, “A lot of cargo movements are taking place on that axis as we speak. We have been working there since.
“A few months ago, we transferred empty from various holding bays and exported cargoes. We have been doing this for the last few months; it is over 200 containers now. We move the containers to Lekki Port and then use barges to return them to Apapa and Tincan Ports,” he asserted.
Also, a former Vice President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, Kayode Farinto, urged the Federal Government to ensure that the issue of rail connectivity to the port was promptly addressed.
“Construction work is ongoing and there is traffic on that road. The only solution to the axis is for the Federal Government to see how rail can be linked to that place that is the only time we can have recipe there but for now, it is not easy,” Farinto added.
Speaking with our correspondent, a source at the Lekki Port explained that the ongoing road project in the axis had changed the dynamics of cargo evacuation at Nigeria’s first deep seaport.
“When we first started, it was difficult to move cargo by road due to the terrible state of the roads that lead to the port. They were in terrible states. We had to rely heavily on barges to evacuate cargo from the port, which was kind of expensive.
“But now, the roads have been completed. Cargoes can now leave Lekki Port through the Ijebu-Ode to Epe Road, which has been completed. Also, the Ikorodu-Itokin Road leading to Ijebu-Ode has been completed,” the source said.
Considering the level of road rehabilitation going on in that axis by both the Lagos and Ogun State Governments, our correspondent was informed that about 60 to 70 per cent of cargo cleared from the deep seaport is currently left by road.
A trucker on the axis, who gave his name as Emmanuel Ignatius, said, “More roads are still being constructed, and we expect the percentage of evacuation to improve as these roads get completed.
“This is an exciting time at Lekki Port because cargo evacuation just got easier and seamless. With these roads completed, our customers can now enjoy delivery of their cargoes at cost-saving options without any stress or hassle.”(Punch)
