BY Ali Elias
Maersk, the Danish shipping giant has withheld comment on its alleged readiness to invest $600m in the Nigerian economy.
“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,
“Therefore, it is natural to have an ongoing dialogue with the administration. However, we are not able to comment on any investment talks.” the company revealed, according to a report by Lloyd’s List, a global maritime insight, data, and analytics website.
The company’s statement followed President Tinubu’s Spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale’s, announcement titled: President Tinubu meets Chairman of Danish shipping giant Maersk; secures $600 million investment in Nigerian seaport infrastructure.
The Spokesman had quoted Robert Uggla, Chairman of the company to have said, “We believe in Nigeria, and we will invest $600m in existing facilities and make the ports accommodating for bigger ships.”
Tinubu and the company’s Chairman had met in a closed-door meeting during the World Economic Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The President remarked, following the meeting, that such investment would boost his administration’s ongoing efforts in the reconstruction of the Eastern and Western ports in the country.
This alleged planned investment was further posted on X platform by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, that “Danish shipping company, A.P Moller-Maersk plans $600m investment in Nigeria. Danish shipping and logistics company A.P Moller-Maersk has disclosed a planned investment of $600 million in Nigeria to accommodate more container shipping services in Nigerian ports,” the post had said.
He had since deleted the post; and has equally provided further clarification on the planned investment, saying that no agreement was signed between the company and Nigeria. This clarification was made known to Cable, an online platform, when they contacted him.
“I think the statement issued by Maersk did not talk about a deal. There was no deal according to that statement that I read. However, there was talk of investment,” the special adviser said.
“No document or agreement was signed, so there was no deal. But there was talk of a possible investment in the country.
“So, go and read the statement again. They never said any deal was signed between the Nigerian government and the Dutch company. There was nothing like that.”
He further advises people not to be “unnecessarily giddy over nothing”.