The preferred bidder for the Benin Port Project, Mota Engil Nigeria, has said plans are ongoing to commence the development of the port project, which remains one of the most ambitious legacy projects of the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki. The company disclosed this after receiving a new batch of equipment at the PTML terminal in Lagos, which adds to an initial haul of heavy-duty equipment received from the $200m worth of equipment it had procured for projects across Nigeria. Logistics Manager, Mota-Engil Nigeria, Mr. Nuno Colaço who led the company’s team and some maritime journalists to inspect the new equipment at the PTML terminal in Lagos, reiterated Mota-Engil’s commitment to delivery of infrastructure projects in Nigeria.
He said over 200 heavy duty machinery were earlier received in the first week of July, noting that the company’s improved stock of machinery will enable it complete projects on schedule. He added that the company now boasts of the most modern fleet of equipment in the construction industry in Nigeria and these will be deployed to its ever growing number of project sites to ensure timely and quality delivery. Chairman of the Benin Port Project, Dr. Greg Ogbeifun, recently confirmed the emergence of Mota Engil Africa as the preferred bidder after a one-week evaluation exercise conducted on the bids received in response to the Request for Proposals, from the three pre-qualified bidders.
Governor Obaseki had said the Benin Port project will serve as a launchpad for the expansion of Edo’s $11.8bn economy, noting that it will catalyse the growth of the agriculture, real estate, manufacturing, food processing, automotive, power, retail and extractive sectors. The Benin Port is designed to be a unique agro-based Port in Nigeria that encompasses a complete smart Port Community Complex for industrial processing and export of agricultural produce and other goods, with independent, clean and renewable energy installations. The container and multipurpose terminals of the port will also have RoRo facilities to enable direct importation of vehicles for the thriving automobile industry in Edo State, among other commercial activities that would spring from the port operations.
