The Federal Government through the Nigerian Ports
Authority (NPA) has commenced moves to develop
three deep sea ports across the country with a view to
growing the economy. Disclosing this in Onne, near
Port-Harcourt, Information Minister Mr Labaran Maku,
said that the government was partnering with private Investors to bring about these developments lbecause, that, according to him is the only way to grow the economy.
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Maku who visited the on going port extension work at the Federal Ocean Terminal currently being operated by Intels, also disclosed that the firm will hand over the facility to NPA after twenty years, so as to allow for enough time for the investor to recoup its investment.
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He explained that the new strategy by government to partner the private sector was paying off as the construction work has remained consistent unlike when government contractors are made to handle these kinds of jobs.
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"We are doing a prime project for the economy of Nigeria, this port covers about 90,000 hectares of. and which is a huge area and you can see the land reclamation going on it is all part of the port project.
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In less than one year, this contract has been virtually executed to about 70% percent and it will be completed in August and you can see because this is government private sector partnership (PPP) you can see the speed at which the project is being executed.
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"If it were an entirely government contract , contractors will wait, they will delay, they will bring back papers for re-validation and they will keep working for years, but this new strategy to engage the priavte sector to develop our ports is really working.