The opening and operation ceremony of Nigeria's Leki Deepwater Port Project, which was invested, constructed and operated by China Harbour Engineering Co., Ltd., was held in Lagos State in the southwest of Nigeria on the 23rd. The ceremony was attended by President Buhari of Nigeria, Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria Cui Jianchun, Governor Babajid Sanvo-Olu of Lagos State, etc. Buhari delivered a speech at the dinner held after the ceremony, saying that the completion and operation of Laiji Port will open a new pattern for Nigeria's economic development, effectively promote the export of Nigeria's local products, especially agricultural products, and increase the country's foreign exchange income. The port will also create a large number of jobs to help achieve the poverty reduction goal of the Nigerian government. Cui Jianchun delivered a speech at the ceremony, saying that Laiji Port is a concrete practice for Chinese enterprises to transform their roles from engineering contracting to investment and operation. After being put into operation, it is expected to become one of the most modern and efficient ports in sub-Saharan Africa and become a new engine to promote Nigeria's economic development. In his speech at the ceremony, Sanvo-Olu said that Leki Port is the largest port in Nigeria and can accommodate the largest container ship in the world. After being put into operation, it will vigorously promote Nigeria's foreign trade, inject new impetus into economic development, and continue to create a large number of jobs and benefit people's livelihood. It is reported that the Laiji Port Project is the first modern deepwater port in Nigeria and one of the largest ports in West Africa. The project was started in June 2020 and completed in October 2022, with an annual design capacity of 1.2 million standard containers. (Xinhua News Agency)