The Federal Government on Wednesday announced the approval of a 10-year concession to Messrs Alcuff for towage services in Lekki Deep Seaport and Dangote Jetty as part of its sustained drives to enhance the performance of the nation’s non-oil sector, especially the import-export trade subsector, through sundry incentives.
The Minister of State for Transportation, Mr. Ademola Adegoroye, who gave this hint after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja, said the measure would aid berthing of ships and cargo discharge at the Lekki Port easier with the attendant benefits to the nation’s economy.
While recalling that the Lekki Deep Sea Port was recently commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari, the minister disclosed that the towage services concession was not given to the company handling the Apapa Port because that would have overstretched in operations.
He explained: “So, because of the new Lekki Deep Sea Port and the Dangote Jetty, the need has arisen for a company that can carry out towage services so as to make things a lot easier and more effortless in the ports.
“Ship berthing will be easier, discharge of goods will be a lot easier, of course, there was the argument that why would the company that provides such services at Apapa Port and Lagos Tin Can Island Port not do it?
“We think that it will overstretch the company because it would overstretch them, they will not be able to cope; they may not have the capacity to cope. Secondly, we want the Lekki Deep Sea Port and the Dangote Jetty to be able to perform maximally.
“So, FEC agreed with us and has given a 10-year concession to that company, Messrs Alcuff, to carry out towage services at the Lekki Deep Sea Port and the Dangote Jetty”, Adegoroye added.
