NPA backs LADOL’s $600m logistics facility for maritime, oil and gas sectors

The managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Habib Abdullahi has said that the agency will continue to promote best practices in the maritime industry and as well, strive to discourage monopoly while promoting healthy competition among the various players in the industry.

Recall few months to the end of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, that a directive was issued by NPA in a letter dated 27 April 2015, requiring LADOL to relocate its ongoing FPSO fabrication and integration facility to designated terminals in Onne, Warri or Calabar ports, putting investments in LADOL at risk. However, industry close watchers described the maiden visit of NPA boss to this terminal as the death of this purported directive.

Speaking after leading his top management team on a facility tour of the Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics Base (LADOL), a privately financed high valued industrial Free Zone at the Apapa Port Pilotage District, Tarkwa Bay, the NPA boss apparently unveiled his administration’s policy thrust geared towards refocusing the maritime industry as an alternative revenue base for the country.

He commended the efforts of the indigenous organisations in the industry such as LADOL, saying it was praiseworthy in the area of technical expertise as well as multiple jobs creation.

Abdullahi, who assured the company of the Authority’s support and collaboration in the areas of security, pilotage, and safe channels among others, said “The LADOL MD said that the company wants competition, collaboration and reconciliation, and not monopoly. From our own end as technical regulator, we will continue to provide that level playing ground which is vital for economic growth.”

Continuing, he said: “I have seen the level of jobs they are doing here, huge investment that is challenging to other investors to emulate. Let me also add that if there is any challenge or any specific supports that may be required of us as technical regulator, our doors are always open.”

Amy Jadesimi, managing director of LADOL, said earlier that the company is determined to provide 5,000 direct and 50,000 indirect jobs for Nigerians, thereby helping Nigeria to join the G20 group of Nations.

She however called on NPA to ensure a level playing ground for all operators in the industry; which according to her, would guarantee the best of services to end-users as well as encourage economic growth for the country.

She listed on- going projects in LADOL to include a passenger terminal with an emergency response facility and a capacity to accommodate 1,000 passengers, which is due to be completed in 2017. She also mentioned an integrated quay wall with a built design of 13.5 metre draught and 500 metre long due for completion in February 2016.

LADOL is Nigeria’s wholly owned indigenous Nigerian Deep Offshore Logistic Base providing world class solution in areas of deep off-shore support for maritime, oil and gas projects, agriculture and fabrications.

Uzoamaka Anagor-Ewuzie