Harboursandport.com: Lagos - Group Executive Vice Chairman, SIFAX Group, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, has disclosed that the experience of the consortium to whom Terminal “B” of Warri port has been concessioned to, will see the port contributing to the nation’s economy as well as the local community.
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| L-R: Adekunle Oyinloye, Group Managing Director, SIFAX Group; Alex Okoh, Director-General, Bureau of Public Enterprise; Dr. Taiwo Afolabi (MON), Group Executive Vice Chairman, SIFAX Group and Ms Aina Egharevba, Director, Ocean & Cargo Terminal Services Limited during the formal handing over of Terminal B, Warri Old Port to Ocean & Cargo Terminal Services Limited in Warri, Delta State. |
Afolabi
who spoke in Warri at the official hand over of the terminal to the consortium,
Ocean and Cargo Terminal Services Limited, noted that the partners have decades
of experience operating in the maritime sector.
The
Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA and Bureau of Public Enterprises, BPE while
handing over the Terminal to the concessionaires, charged them to improve the fortunes
of the port.
At
the ceremony, Managing Director, NPA, Hajia Hadiza Bala Usman, who was
represented by the Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Sokonte Davies, pledged
the support of her agency to the concessionaire and urged the host communities
to cooperate with the company in order for it to successfully operate at the
port.
The
NPA boss said, “It is our duty as NPA to achieve an efficient and profitable
port management in the country. We are delighted that another milestone is
recorded today with this hand over to Ocean and Cargo Terminal Services
Limited, the winner of the competitive bidding process for the terminal.
“Be
rest assured that NPA will provide the necessary support to help you settle
down and operate successfully.
“Let
me also use this opportunity to appeal to the host communities to support this
company because the presence and smooth operations of this new business will
greatly impact the local economy around here.”
On
his own part, Okoh described the bidding process that led to the concession has
been very transparent, adding that the best bidder eventually emerged as the
winner.
He
further urged the concessionaire to abide by the terms of the contract
agreement while reiterating the stance of BPE to monitor the company’s
operations for strict agreement compliance.
He
said: “Port constitutes a strategic gateway to the country and the nation’s
economic prosperity depends to a large extent on how efficient the maritime
industry fares. That’s the major reason the industry has received a great
attention from this administration.
“We
also recognized that port efficiency can best be achieved with the private
sector involvement. That’s why we are delighted that this terminal will soon
enjoy the level of efficiency that other concessioned terminals across the
country have been exposed to over the years.”
Adekunle
Oyinloye, Group Managing Director, SIFAX Group, the concessionaire’s lead
partner, promised that the company will deliver on the mandate of running an
efficient port that will be a pride of all Nigerians. He anchored his
confidence on the pedigree of the partners that has spanned over three decades
in the maritime industry.
He
pledged that areas like customer service, investment in human capital and
equipment as well as partnership with regulatory agencies and other
stakeholders will receive deserving attention by the company.
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