BACCIMA Boss Gives Reasons Why Badagry Deep Seaport Will Thrive
The President of Badagry Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture (BACCIMA), Mr. Yahaya Oladiran Idris, has said that the proposed deep seaport in Badagry will thrive because Badagry has enormous economic potentials to support it.
Idris made this known while interacting with Executives of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) during a two day retreat.
Idris who is also a retired Deputy Comptroller of Customs noted that 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.
He explained that Badagry is one of the most significant border posts in Nigeria. With the Seme Border post connecting Nigeria with the Republic of Benin, the area enjoys good intermodal transportation systems including good waterways and Lagos-Sokoto Expressway that can serve as a trans-shipment route to landlocked countries of Niger Republic and Chad.
He pointed out that both Niger Republic and Chad prefer Nigerian ports for their cargoes.
“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 will be dropped at Badagry Deep Seaport. The port will serve as a trans-shipment hub for landlocked countries of Niger Republic and Chad.
“Badagry also has a good waterway which makes it easier for ships 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 to zero percent but at least by 20%, when completed,” said Idris.
He argued that the construction of the port would attract more investors to Badagry and provide job opportunities for artisans and vendors.
Idris 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,” said he.
Speaking on the subject of controversy concerning the need for another deep seaport at Badagry since there is one in Lekki, he 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, Deputy Comptroller Yahaya 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 come in to avoid revenue loss and unwarranted death of officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service.
On trade facilitation, he noted 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.
He commended the present management of the Nigeria Customs Service led by Comptroller General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi for making the welfare of officers and men a priority.
“Comptroller General Adewale Adeniyi has done well in terms of promotion of staff. Officers and men will be happy when they get their promotions regularly, and CGC Adeniyi has not failed in this area.”
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