French firm wants to develop Lekki port with green technology

A French shipping company, CMA CGM, on Thursday expressed willingness to develop the proposed Lekki port, a.k.a. free trade zone in Lagos with high degree of green technology.

Marc Riondel, chief operating officer of CMA CGM, said this while presenting the ‘Lekki Terminal General Project’ to Nigerian journalists on study tour of its headquarters in Marseille, South France.

He explained that CMA had in January signed an agreement with the International Container Terminal Services LFTS Enterprise for 25 percent stake in Lekki Container Terminal.

The master concessionaire of Lekki Port zone, LPLE, is to provide the terminal infrastructure and also responsible for maritime infrastructure, marine services and maintenance dredging.
Riondel said the port would be developed with green technology and infrastructure that would reduce congestion and pollution.

“Like many new port projects in the world, the Lekki port is to be located outside the main city of Lagos, enjoying access and less congestion than existing terminals.”

“The location of the port outside will protect the environment and allow reduction in carbon dioxide and noise pollutions.”
According to him, the terminal is expected to directly employ between 1000 and 2000 persons and indirectly employ 1000 persons at full capacity.

“The project, which is estimated to cost about $1.7 billion, will be developed in stages. (NAN)