Global logistics company A.P Moller-Maersk has failed to confirm a supposed investment of $600 million in Nigeria’s seaport.
The federal government, last week, claimed that the Danish shipping and logistics giant has committed to investing the above funds to develop seaport infrastructure in the country.
Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President On Media and Publicity in a statement disclosed that Danish firm made the promise, through its chairman, Robert Uggla during a close door meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum Special Meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
“We believe in Nigeria, and we will invest $600m in existing facilities and make the ports accommodating for bigger ships,” Ngelale quoted Uggla as saying.
President Tinubu had welcomed the promise, remarking that the investment would complement his administration’s ongoing $1bn investment in seaport reconstruction across Nigeria’ seaports
Also, not a few Nigerians received the promise with applause, saying the investment will further propel the development of the nation’s seaport infrastructure.
However, AP Moller in their reaction to the issue said “we are not able to comment on any investment talks.”
In a statement issued by the company, as reported by Lloyd’s List, a global maritime insight, data, and analytics website, the shipping company said they have been present in Nigeria for more than three decades, and committed to the nation’s business sector., but failed to confirm the investment agreement supposedly reached in Riyadh with President Tinubu.
The statement said: “Maersk has been present in Nigeria for 35 years and, as a global provider of logistics services, we remain committed to develop opportunities for growth to people, the port sector and businesses locally,” the company said in a statement to Lloyd’s List.
“Therefore, it is natural to have an ongoing dialogue with the administration. However, we are not able to comment on any investment talks.”
