Road Evacuation Of Cargoes At $1.5bn Lekki Port Hits 60%

Cargoes now seamlessly exit the $1.5billion Lekki deep seaport through the roads as the federal and state government completed the construction of alternatives routes to the Lekki-Epe Expressway, LEADERSHIP can report.

With the alternative road construction, clearing agents and importers hauling cargoes out of the Lekki Deep Seaport now do it seamlessly, thereby, making it an alternative to the already congested Apapa anf Tin-Can ports.

LEADERSHIP reports that before now, Lekki-Epe Expressway is the only route out for evacuating cargoes out of the multi billion dollars facility and that created panic among importers, exporters and road users who fear Apapa like traffic on the ever-busy expressway.

Currently, there have been alternatives for cargo evacuation for free flow of traffic out of the facility.

However, alternative routes to access and exit the first deep seaport in Nigeria are, Ijebu-Ode-Epe-Lekki-Eleko Coastal roads; Lekki-Ajah-Eleko Coastal roads and Ikorodu-Itokin-Epe roads.

With the alternative routes, about 60 percent of cargoes cleared from Lekki deep seaport now leave by road while 40 percent exit through badges.

Confirming the development to LEADERSHIP, a management staff of Lekki deep seaport said, concrete expansion of the Lekki-Epe expressway from Ajah to Eleko junction is already completed. Also, the dualisation of the Lekki-Epe road from Ibeju-Agbe to T-Junction in Epe is at 95 percent completion stage.

According to the source who craved anonymity because he’s not authorised to speak, said the upgrading of the Itokin to Ijebu-Ode expressway is completed, while the expansion of the Oke-Oso/Itokin road to Araga-Poka road is also completed.

He, however, disclosed that the Ijebu-Ode to Epe road has also been completed with two toll gates mounted on the road.

“With the completion of these roads, Lekki Port now enjoys easy access to the hinterland surrounding its location. The roads have been completed as Cargoes can now leave Lekki Port through the Ijebu-Ode to Epe road, which is completed. Also, the Ikorodu-Itokin road leading to Ijebu-Ode too is completed.”

“Furthermore, the concrete paving and expansion of the Lekki-Epe down to Ajah road is almost completed. With these roads completed, there would be delivery of cargoes at cost saving options without any stress or hassle,” he stated.

Speaking to LEADERSHIP on this, a clearing agent, Tobechukwu Okechukwu, applauded the federal government for its commitment toward the Lekki Port project.

He said, with the road construction and completion, importers who hitherto expressed fear of cargo evacuation out of the seaports can now patronise the facility and conveniently do their business without fear of being trapped in traffic.

“Before now, the evacuation mode was via badges and that was very expensive for oir importers to pay but, since the completion of many of these roads, the concept of cargo evacuation at Nigeria’s first deep seaport has changed. Now, the roads have been completed as cargoes can now leave Lekki Port through the Ijebu-Ode to Epe road, which is completed. Also, the Ikorodu-Itokin road leading to Ijebu-Ode too is completed.

“Furthermore, the concrete paving and expansion of the Lekki-Epe down to Ajah road is almost completed. This is an exciting time at Lekki Port because cargo evacuation just got easier and seamless. With these roads completed, we can now enjoy delivery of cargoes at cost saving options without any stress or hassle.”

“I can tell you that the number of cargoes leaving Lekki Port by road has been on the increase in the last few months since these roads were completed. The port move 60 percent cargoes by while 40 percent through badge. More roads are still being constructed and we expect the percentage of evacuation to improve as these roads get completed,” Tobechukwu stated.

A frontline clearing agent, Chukwu Abel said, the road is being done in phases and once completed, it will finally open Lekki Port to the outside world.

Chukwu, who also clear cargoes at the Apapa and Tin-Can Island ports, said opening up the Lekki Ports through the alternative routes will decongest the Apapa and Tin-Can Island ports.

“We also hope work begins on the new seventh Axial road. Nothing has been done on this route yet, but when done, it will provide options for the port as regards movement of cargoes into the hinterland. With the seventh Axial road, cargoes can completely cut-off the Eleko Junction while navigating into the hinterland of Ijebu-Itele and beyond.

“The seventh Axial road is a 50km road that runs directly from the Eleko Coastal road. It has no business with the Lekki-Epe expressway and goes straight into Ijebu-Itele and Ogbere area. We hope works starts soon on this new 50 kilometre road. However, while we await construction works on that road.

But recent cargo I cleared from the port left the port through the Lekki-Epe Express road into Ijebu-Ode axis which has been completely rehabilitated. This is the major booster for the port,” he stated.