Amaechi’s Stewardship at the Helm of Transportation Ministry Reverberates with Arrival of Largest Container Vessel in Nigerian Waters – Eze
PORT HARCOURT/Nigeria: Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party (nPDP) and prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, has lauded Rotimi Amaechi, former Minister of Transport for the enduring impact of his policies during his tenure.
The former nPDP spokesman, stated this with the arrival of the record-breaking largest vessel on Sunday, January 21, 2024, in Nigerian Watter, and this is seen as a tangible outcome of Amaechi’s strategic vision for Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Chief Eze emphasized Amaechi’s exceptional grasp of the Nigerian economy, describing his knowledge as an elixir to the country’s socio-economic challenges. The ongoing success of the Lekki Deep Seaport, according to Eze, is a testament to Amaechi’s foresight and strategic leadership.
During a 2022 inspection of the Lekki Sea Port construction site, Amaechi had projected a contribution of approximately $360 billion to the economy over the years. He justified the need for the deep seaport, citing the overwhelming demand for port activities that surpassed the capacities of existing ports in Lagos.
The Lekki Deep Seaport, conceptualized and led by Amaechi, is set to be a game-changer for Nigeria’s maritime industry. Amaechi had envisioned additional projects, such as the Bonny deep seaport and connecting the Lekki deep seaport to a rail line, underscoring his commitment to comprehensive infrastructural development.
The recently berthed vessel, named ‘Maersk Edirne,’ boasts impressive dimensions, with an overall length of 367 meters, a breadth of 48.2 meters, and capacities of 142,131 metric tonnes Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) and 147,340 metric tonnes Dead Weight Tonnage (DWT).
Chief Eze praised Amaechi for his visionary leadership and highlighted the economic benefits of the Lekki Deep Seaport, which is expected to contribute over $200 billion to the government exchequer and provide employment opportunities for 170,000 young people.
Despite attempts to tarnish Amaechi’s image, Eze affirmed that the former minister and two-time Governor of Rivers State stands as an enduring legend and a patriot of unparalleled distinction. Reflecting on his political legacy, Amaechi pointed to significant infrastructure projects, including the Lekki Deep Sea Port and the Lagos-Ibadan and Abuja/Kaduna railway lines, expressing satisfaction with their continued operation as lasting legacies.
As industry experts hail the Lekki Deep Seaport’s potential to reposition Nigeria as a major player in global trade, Amaechi’s legacy remains a beacon of visionary leadership in a challenging era for the nation.
