… As Lagos govt consults Badagry Division on 2023 budget***

The Badagry Port Development Ltd (BPDL), promoters of the newly approved Badagry Deep Seaport project, says the project under a Private-Public Partnership will create 250,000 jobs.

Mr Oludele James Clinton, the Project Manager, BPDL, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.

Also read: Approval of $2.5bn for Badagry seaport shows Buhari’s belief in diversifying economy -BMO

Clinton described the project as a strategic step toward the development of Nigeria as a global maritime hub.

“The project will generate $53.6 billion in revenue and create about 250,000 jobs; while making Nigeria a maritime hub in West Africa.

“Nigeria is strategically located at a significant point in the Atlantic Ocean, with about 853 kilometres coastline, which gives us a geographic advantage to become a maritime hub for not only the West and Central African region, but also the entire maritime trading world.

“And with over 70 per cent of cargo bound for West and Central Africa destined for Nigeria, the country also has a huge commercial advantage.

“The Seaport planned to be Africa’s biggest and most advanced seaport when it becomes operational,” he said.

Clinton added that the project would help to maximise the maritime potential.

“It would help to maximise this extraordinary maritime potential, more so given the strategic location of Badagry in the region,” he said.

Clinton quoted the Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, as saying that under a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer delivery system, the port would be operated by the private sector for 45 years after which it would be reverted to the government.

Sambo said, “I presented a memo today at council with respect to the development of the Badagry Deep Seaport under the public-private partnership arrangement.

“The private sector will inject money for the development of the port and at the end of the concessionary period, the port reverts to the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Nigerian Ports Authority.

“The project cost as contained and approved in council based on the final business case as approved by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission in line with extant laws stood at $2.59 billion.

“This is to further the government’s goal of making Nigeria the maritime hub of the West and Central Africa sub-region.

“This project, it may interest you to know, will also generate total revenue of over $53.6 billion over the concession period,” he said.

Speaking on the strategic importance of the port, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said Project is not just one project.

“It is a multi-level opportunity for progress for all the people of this State in view of the volume of trade and quantum of investment opportunities that would spring up in the area when the project commences, and when it is completed and operational.

“Very importantly, employment and capacity building for the teeming youth and women in the affected communities will be prioritised.

”The port will also include facilities for handling containers, dry bulk, liquid bulk, roll-on-roll-off, and general cargo, as well as oil and gas operations support,” he said.

The newsmen report that the concession was granted to Badagry Port Development Limited (BPDL).

Newsmen also report that BPDL is wholly owned by Quinn McGrath Marine & Environmental Services Ltd (QMMESL), an indigenous formidable maritime investment subsidiary of the Quinn McGrath Group.

In the meantime, the Lagos State Government says it will commit more funds in the 2023 budget to run the Blue line rail on the Badagry expressway.

It said that this was so, with the Federal Government approval of the Badagry Deep Seaport Project under a Private-Public Partnership.

Mr Sam Egube, the Commissioner for the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, disclosed this during the Year 2023 Budget Consultative Forum for Badagry Division in Lagos.

According to the Commissioner, the approved Badagry Deep Seaport Project will change the entire Division completely.

“The Blue line rail is going to run on Badagry expressway, we are going to commit more funds in this year’s budget to make sure that we progress the expressway significantly beyond where it is now.

“Though the fund is not enough, as far as we are concerned, with the commitment we have with the people, we will continue to figure ways to expand our revenue base so that we can continue to serve people better,” he said.

Egube said the forum was to consult the people of Badagry Division on the performance of the government in their communities and what needs to be done.

“Everytime we need to prepare a budget, it is important we consult the people because we are not the government in the air.

“We are government sitting on the mandate that the people have given us and therefore, we must consult people before we do things.

“This is to tell them how we are doing, especially as a people, government and as a state.

“To let them know how we have performed against the last year plan, and what we have done against what they have told us was their specific interest in 2021 when we were preparing the 2022 budget.

“We have to also to listen to them and to be able to have conversations around what is pinching them, what they need and what they want the government to do for them,” he said.

The commissioner said Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu had insisted since he became the governor that they should always consult the people in all the five divisions to know where the shoes pinches them.

He commended the large turnout of the people of Badagry Division for the forum.

“I feel excited because we have seven traditional rulers from the division here today representing their communities.

“They came with different memoranda and they also reminded us of some commitments we made and we explained where those projects are.

“And we made a commitment as to what the remaining months will look like.

“I will like to thank the people of Badagry Division who have come to partner with their State government, for their efforts in their willingness to support us,” he said.

The newsmen report that stakeholders at the forum complained about some uncompleted projects in their communities, which the commissioner promised to look into.

Some Chairmen of Community Development Committees, Coordinators of Youth Councils, community leaders and government officials from different ministries and agencies attended the forum.