Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprise Limited (Lekki Port), the developer of the Lekki Deep Seaport said it has commenced construction work on the 680m long quay wall starting with first piling.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony at the project site in the Lagos Free Zone, Ibeju Lekki in Lagos on Tuesday, Ruogang Du, chief executive officer of Lekki Port, said the commencement of piling of quay wall, which is a major phase of the construction, symbolises a significant step towards the timely delivery of the port project.
Despite the setback caused by the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, he said, both the investors and contractors have demonstrated commitment to delivering the project as and when due, with construction now at full steam.
“As we all know, the epidemic has harmed global economic development and personnel mobility everywhere. However, developers and investors in Lekki Port have not stopped moving forward. We are actively resuming construction and are striving to fulfill our commitment to officially open the port for operations in the first half of 2023. This is a commitment to Lagos and to Nigeria, and we will do our best to achieve it,” he said.
Also speaking, Biodun Dabiri, Board Chairman, Lekki Port, lauded the invaluable roles played by the project promoters and stakeholders including Tolaram, China Harbour Engineering Company, Lagos State Government, host communities and the Federal Government through the Nigerian Ports Authority.
He said the completion of the port would greatly assist in accommodating the rapid expansion of trade currently being witnessed across the West African region.
“I want to thank all our shareholders for all the support and energy you have put into this project. This is an iconic project. From all indications, we are building history here. Some of the piles we are doing today will last for more than 100 years. With all the support from everyone that is here, I believe the port would be safely delivered on time,” Dabiri stated.
Steven Heukelom, chief technical officer, Lekki Port, said the construction of the quay wall marks a major milestone from a technical perspective, as this will ensure that the port is capable of handling multiple container vessels of various sizes at the same time.
Heukelom disclosed that during the Phase 1 of the project, the quay wall will be 680m long and can berth two container vessels each with 18,000 Twenty Equivalent Units (TEUs).
“There will be a total of 857 steel piles on the Combi wall. The container terminal will be equipped with seven Ship to Shore Cranes, 21 RTGs, and other modern rolling terminal equipment. The Combi Wall will have a diameter of 1.15m – 2.3m, a thickness of 23mm and between 28 – 41m deep,” he explained.
