The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has denied reports that it has cancelled the $2.6bn Badagry deep seaport, it rather said that what was cancelled is the 25 Years Port Development Master Plan, which was initially poorly done by the consultant handling the project.
The Managing Director of the NPA, Hajia Hadiza Bala Usman, reportedly explained in a recent interview that due to a very bad job done on the initial master plan, the NPA is in the process of re-awarding the contract for the development of the plan, which will guide the nation on the establishment of ports in the years ahead.
“With Badagry deep seaport, the Outline Business Case (OBC) was reviewed. Some of the responsibilities of government was taken and put in the OBC for Badagry port. I have objected to that and written to the Federal Ministry of Transportation on this,” said the NPA MD.
She said further that she has also written letters to the promoters of the Badagry Deep Seaport, telling them that roles like marine services are responsibilities of government as stipulated within the Port Act. She explained that for this reason, they cannot take it away and say they are going to provide such services.
“This is where we are with the Badagry deep seaport. We are currently discussing with them to review the projects OBC, so that it states what their obligations are and what government’s obligations are. We also understand that we will need a (25-year) Port Development Master Plan. When I assumed office, I inherited a consultant that was supposed to do a (25-year) Port Development Master Plan, but the consultant did a very bad job”.