FEC Approves Four New Channel Management Firms for Nigerian Seaports
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved four channel management companies to oversee operations across Nigeria’s major seaport channels, in a move aimed at improving maritime navigation and enhancing port efficiency.
The development was disclosed by Capt. Ebubeogu Ihenacho, a former General Manager of Marine and Operations, during the recently concluded Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners (NAMM).
According to Ihenacho, the approval will introduce changes to the management structure and ownership of some existing channel management companies, including those responsible for the Lagos and Bonny channels.
He explained that the four major port channels in Lagos, Calabar, Bonny and Warri would operate under different management arrangements approved by the Federal Government.
For Lagos, Ihenacho said a new company had been approved to manage the channel, alongside a change in the company’s name. Although the identity of the new owners has not been officially confirmed, sources close to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) reportedly indicated that a Belgian firm could take over operations at the Lagos ports.
He further disclosed that the Calabar Channel would be managed by the Calabar Channel Management Company, while the Bonny Channel Management Company had also experienced a change in ownership.
On the Warri channel, Ihenacho revealed that the Federal Government had approved China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) and two other firms to form a consortium to manage the Escravos Channel.
He said the consortium would establish a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) in partnership with the Nigerian Ports Authority to oversee the channel’s operations.
