Lagos channel management technical validation begins as Federal Government reviews joint venture operations for dredging and maritime efficiency

The Federal Government has commenced a five-day technical validation exercise of its long-standing joint venture on Lagos channel management in a move aimed at strengthening oversight and ensuring value for money in Nigeria’s key maritime corridor.

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The initiative, announced by the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, is being carried out in collaboration with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to assess the performance of Lagos Channel Management Limited (LCM), which has overseen maintenance of Lagos Harbour access channels since 2005.

According to the ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Anastasia Ogbonna, the exercise is designed to verify operational efficiency, confirm technical outputs, and establish stronger accountability within the partnership framework.

A high-level delegation led by the Director of Maritime Services, Meshack Adeola Oyinloye, is currently conducting on-site inspections to independently review dredging activities, cost efficiency, and overall performance outcomes under the joint venture arrangement.

The Lagos channel management technical validation will also establish a baseline for future monitoring, ensuring that operational assessments are guided by verified data and measurable benchmarks.

Officials said the exercise will help determine whether reported achievements align with actual field performance, while also evaluating the cost-effectiveness of ongoing channel maintenance operations.

The ministry noted that the review is part of broader efforts to strengthen governance in the maritime sector and align infrastructure management with the goals of Nigeria’s blue economy strategy.

Findings from the exercise are expected to guide future decisions on channel maintenance and improve the long-term sustainability of Lagos waterways, which handle a significant share of the country’s maritime trade.

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Since its establishment in 2005, Lagos Channel Management Limited has been responsible for dredging operations, wreck removal, bathymetric surveys, and maintenance of navigational aids to ensure safe passage for vessels navigating the Lagos Harbour corridor.