The Federal Government has commenced a structured validation exercise aimed at establishing a performance baseline for the Joint Venture (JV) managing Lagos channel operations, in a move designed to strengthen oversight, accountability, and long-term maritime efficiency.
The initiative is being led by the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy (FMMBE) in collaboration with the Nigerian Ports Authority, as officials begin a five-day joint working visit to Lagos Channel Management Limited to assess operational outputs and verify technical performance indicators.
According to the Ministry, the exercise is focused on generating reliable baseline data that will guide future monitoring and evaluation of channel management activities, particularly in areas such as dredging performance, navigation safety, and cost efficiency.
Speaking during the commencement of the validation visit, the Director of Maritime Services at FMMBE, Mr. Oyinloye Adeola Meshack, said the exercise was critical to strengthening governance within the JV framework.
He noted that the review would “provide independent technical confirmation of operational outputs, establish measurable performance benchmarks, and ensure value for money in channel management investments.”
“The objective is to build a credible baseline that will allow government to continuously track performance, verify reported achievements, and ensure that Lagos navigation channels remain safe, efficient, and sustainable,” Meshack said.
The Ministry explained that the validation exercise will include on-site inspections of dredging operations, bathymetric survey records, wreck removal activities, and maintenance of aids to navigation.
Officials will also assess capacity-building efforts and environmental monitoring practices within the channel ecosystem.
In a statement on Wednesday signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Anastasia Ogbonna, the Ministry said the exercise is central to reinforcing transparency and accountability in maritime infrastructure management.
“The validation process will strengthen oversight of the Joint Venture arrangement and provide empirical data to support future policy and operational decisions,” The statement stated.
It added that since its establishment in 2005, the JV has contributed significantly to improving Lagos Harbour and its access channels through continuous dredging, navigation support services, and infrastructure maintenance.
The Federal Government maintained that the exercise aligns with broader blue economy objectives, particularly efforts to ensure that Nigeria’s busiest maritime corridor remains capable of handling growing shipping traffic efficiently and safely.
