Ag. MD, NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko

Agence Française de Development AFD, a public sector funding agency promoted by the French Government, has expressed willingness to support the Nigerian Ports Authority NPA in its quest to modernise and expand seaport infrastructure to enhance competitive and cost efficient port environment and other related businesses.

A high-level delegation from the AFD and the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority LAMATA met with the management of NPA last Thursday, where discussions regarding credit support for port infrastructure development, among other crucial transport assets in the state were discussed.

Acting Managing Director of NPA, Muhammed Bello -Koko, told his guests that the authority welcomes any support to retool and upgrade port infrastructure in Nigeria to world class status. He indicated the desire of the NPA to collaborate with development partners like the AFD, as its credit support does not require sovereign guarantee, as it comes with flexible moratorium and repayment plans.

The MD also informed the AFD delegation that he recently led a meeting between the authority, the Federal Ministry of Transport and terminal operators, where discussions centred on ways of funding port infrastructure renewal projects, especially at the Lagos Ports Complex LPC and the Tin-Can Island Ports Complex TICP both in Apapa.

The AFD team, led by David Margonsztern, disclosed that the agency operates a credit facility agreement with the Lagos State Government and that his team is currently carrying out an Implementation Support Mission on Lagos State Strategic Transport Master Plan LSTMP.

“Our visit to the NPA is therefore to explore funding opportunities to support port infrastructure renewal under the Lagos Urban Transport Sector program.

“The AFD intends to partner NPA on infrastructure expansion and modernisation programmes in Lagos State, especially the development of facilities such as truck parks and improvement of access corridors to the ports, for the benefit of residents and businesses in Lagos as well as the Nigerian economy generally”, Margonsztern said.

The NPA MD while commending the joint team from AFD and LAMATA for the visit, assured that the authority would continue to embrace relations and actions that would position Nigeria’s port system on the path of sustainable growth.