Tin Can, Apapa Ports’ Quays for immediate reconstruction, says NPA MD

Plans are in the works for the immediate reconstruction of Tin Can and Apapa Ports’ quays, according to the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority, Mr Mohammed Bello-Koko.

Koko said that the Federal Government was considering two funding options for the multi-million dollars reconstruction projects.

He spoke on Tuesday at the weekly media briefing of State House Correspondents by ministers and chief executive officers of Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

According to him: “The first option is for the terminal operators to rehabilitate the quays, and they go head to recoup their money. But then, not all the terminal operators have the same financial muscle to do it.

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“Take the quays, for instance, let’s say about six or seven terminals are to be rehabilitated: if you allow the man in the middle to start the construction without the person next to him, being ready to start, you will create a problem with the integrity of the quays. So, it must be a planned reconstruction.

“The other option is for government to fund it; and, of course, government does not have money. The initial estimate is going to cost slightly over $400 million to reconstruct Tin Can. So, the other option is hybrid- where NPA would borrow the money from a multilateral funding agency; and, then, using our revenue, we pay for that facility over 10 years.

“This is being looked at; but the Minister of Transportation has requested that we revisit the plan with immediate effect and I can assure you that we are taking that instruction seriously and that will commence very soon.”

Koko disclosed that other ports across the country were also being considered for rehabilitation and reconstruction.

“Of course, apart from Tin Can and Apapa Ports, BUA has been given approval to start the reconstruction of the quay in Rivers Port in terms of its design; and, we are taking this port by port and ensuring that the necessary reconstructions are done at these various ports’ locations.

“So, we expect BUA to start reconstruction latest in November, this year (2022) all things being equal.”

The NPA MD clarified that the $1.3 billion he mentioned in the course of his presentation to the media about the Lekki Port was from the first to the last phases.

He also reiterated his position on government effort to rescue the collapsing quay aprons in the tin Can and Apapa Ports.

According to him: “The issue of Tin Can and Apapa quay aprons is in my presentation. Tin Can and Apapa Ports’ quay aprons are collapsing. Tin Can is one of the oldest ports. We have done a conditional survey and interim drawings and designs and payment.

“One of the mandates given to us by the Minister of Transportation is to ensure that we conclude all the necessary documentations, the review and what have you, so that he will go to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and get presidential approval for us to be begin the immediate reconstruction of Tin Can and Apapa ports.”