Even if we quadruple industrial output in Nigeria we will not make any money from it unless we can export our finished goods, so having an ambitious port expansion policy has got to be a national priority
I want these proposals sent to the National Assembly as the Nigerian Port Expansion Bill 2020:
Ayo Akinfe
(1) We need 10 ports along our Atlantic coastline at Badagry, Lekki and Apapa in Lagos State, Ayetoro in Ondo State, Warri in Delta State, Brass in Bayelsa State, Port Harcourt and Onne in Rivers State, Calabar in Cross River State and Ikot Abasi in Akwa Ibom State
(2) Each port should have a minimum capacity of twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU), giving Nigeria a minimum total capacity of 10m TEU. With Lekki alone expected to have a capacity of 6m TEU, Nigeria ideally is looking at a minimum of 15m TEU
(3) Every port must have a heavy duty rail link that links it with Abuja, while all 10 ports must also be linked together via rail
(4) Every port must have its own independent electricity supply generated on site
(5) Each of these ports must be at least 30 feet deep and must have the capacity to accommodate a fully laden Panamax ship
(6) Nigeria should also manufacture two floating ports that can be deployed anywhere along her coastline for emergency purposes
(7) Industrial zones must be built around each port, with factories encouraged to build plants there to minimise costs
(8) Concessions should be given to private sector operators to run these ports with a mandate to upgrade them at least once every five years
(9) Every port should build an out-of-town terminal for lorries and trailers. Their cargoes delivered and taken there by rail, where delivery and picking up will take place, This is to avoid the menace of port congestion which we are currently seeing at Apapa
(10) Any port that wants to build an airport cargo terminal on its premises to augment exports should be encouraged to do so
