Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Phases 1, 2 At War

The Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (KLT) Phases 1 and 2, Lagos may have dug deep into their respective trenches as they are all set for collision in the course of who takes possession of the terminal.

The Federal Ministry of Transport (FMOT), the Nigeria Trawler Owners Association (NITOA) and the Association of Ship & Cargo Agents for West Africa Maritime Trade (ASCA) may clash any time soon.

P.M.Maritime checks revealed that the trio have set different agenda for the use of the terminal.

The FMOT, through its supervising minister, Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman, at a ministerial press briefing in March, this year, disclosed that the concession process for the KLT, which was stopped in 2004, had commenced.

On its part, NITOA is requesting that the facilities should be given to it for the construction of a fish terminal, which, according to the association, will be known as the Lagos Fish Terminal.

The leadership of the association at a time disclosed that government had given approval for the use of the place as a holding bay for fishing trawlers.

NITOA had specifically stated at various times that the approval for the use of KLT Phases 1 and 2 for the construction of the Lagos Fish Terminal was granted by President Olusegun Obasanjo during the first tenure of his administration between 1999 and 2003.

The association had equally noted that all efforts to actualise this dream had allegedly been aborted, as government agencies, especially the Transport Ministry, have proved stumbling blocks.

The Association of Ship & Cargo Agents for West Africa Maritime Trade (ASCA) has equally also expressed interest in the KLT, as it wants the facilities to be dedicated for sub-regional trade especially the KLT Phase 2.

The use of the KLT Phase 2, according to the association, is in line with the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) treaty of 1976 that stated that for free movement of passengers and cargo within the 15 countries of the West African sub-region, a terminal must be established in each member-country.