- Ag Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Mohammed Bello-Koko (left), presents the agency’s plaque to the Task Team Leader, French Development Agency, David Margonsztern, during the team’s working visit to the NPA in Lagos
From Anthony Nwachukwu, Lagos
A French Government public sector funding agency, Agence Française de Development (AFD), has expressed readiness to support the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in the modernisation and expansion of port infrastructure for a competitive and cost-efficient business.
The AFD team, alongside the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), met with the NPA management on matters concerning credit support for port infrastructure development, among other critical transport assets in the state.
Leader of the AFD team, David Margonsztern, disclosed that the agency was currently running a credit facility agreement with the Lagos State Government, and the team currently on 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 programme,” he said.
According to him, the AFD intends to partner with the NPA on infrastructure expansion and modernisation programmes in Lagos State, especially on the development of facilities like truck parks and improvement of access corridors to the port, for the benefit of residents and businesses.
Addressing the visitors, the Ag Managing Director of NPA, Muhammed Bello-Koko, said the agency would partner AFD as its credit support comes with flexible moratorium and repayment plan, and does not require sovereign guarantees.
Koko disclosed that ongoing discussions between the Ministry of Transportation and terminal operators also centres on funding port renewal projects, especially at the Lagos Port Complex in Apapa and the Tin Can Island Ports Complex.
