Nigeria, Cote D’ Ivoire to strengthen maritime trade

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has expressed its readiness to strengthen relations with the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire in the areas of port and shipping operations.

Mohammed Bello-Koko, Acting Managing Director of NPA, stated this in a statement signed by Mr Olaseni Alakija, NPA’s General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications, in Lagos.

Bello-Koko made the statement when he received a delegation from the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire, who paid him a courtesy visit at the NPA corporate headquarters in Marina, Lagos.

He said the relations would focus more on strengthening the capacities of both countries to participate competitively in global and regional trade.

“The Nigerian Government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari has introduced far reaching reforms to facilitate cross border trade, particularly nurturing a multimodal port system to reduce the cost of shipments in and out of the country.

“The Buhari-administration has also invested heavily in major public infrastructure upgrades, including construction of modern rail lines and deep seaports, to boost the international competitiveness of the country’s trade.

“This will as well position Nigeria as gateway to the African economy,” he said.

Bello-Koko said one of the Greenfield Ports – the Lekki Deep Seaport, capable of handling ultra large cargo vessels, would commence business by the second quarter of 2022.

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