The Federal Government is committed to creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, Vice President Kashim Shettima has said, signaling a commitment to fostering economic growth and enhancing opportunities for investors across the world.
This assurance was given by the Vice President Kashim Shettima on Wednesday when he launched a comprehensive $115m upgrade project at the West Africa Container Terminal, WACT, located in Onne in the Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The investment underscores APM Terminals’ commitment to Nigeria’s economic growth and strengthens its position as a key trade hub in West Africa.
The APM Terminals, a parent body of the WACT, reaffirms its role as a key player in lifting global trade and creating opportunities for communities across Nigeria and West Africa.
Shettima, who was represented by the Personal Assistant to the President on Subnational Infrastructure (Office of the Vice President), Musaddiq Mustapha, commended the APM Terminals for its huge investment in the West Africa Container Terminal.
He assured the company that the Federal Government would continue to provide the enabling environment for businesses to thrive, saying the $115m investment in the WACT upgrade would further enhance service delivery at the Onne Port, and attract more vessels to the port.
The Vice President stated: “Nigeria is a country of significant opportunities. APM Terminals’ investment in WACT is a clear sign of the company’s strong commitment to developing ports that are a lifeline to global trade.
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“Nigeria will continue collaborating with APM Terminals in the long term to create an environment where businesses participating in global trade can thrive.”
The upgrade project is a testament to APM Terminals’ vision of lifting standards of efficiency, reliability, and local excellence in Nigeria.
It encompasses a wide-ranging transformation, including extensive yard expansion, state-of-the-art equipment acquisition, and a modern office complex.
Its new Mobile Harbour Cranes, Rubber Tyre Gantries, and advanced Cargo Handling Equipment will significantly reduce turnaround time.
A superior operating model revolutionises efficiency at the quay, yard, and gate, setting new benchmarks in service delivery.
This investment will introduce an innovative auto gate system and advanced data centre, lifting WACT’s operational efficiency to a new standard. The self-service kiosks have also been upgraded to elevate customer experience.
The minister of marine and blue economy, who also commended APM Terminals for the huge investment in WACT, promised that the ministry would continue to support terminal operators to modernise the port and reduce the cost of doing business at the nation’s gateway.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said the WACT upgrade would support the efforts of the Nigeria Customs Service to generate more revenue, facilitate trade, and curtail the smuggling of harmful and dangerous goods into Nigeria.
The Managing Director of the NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, represented by the Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Olalekan Badmus, said: “This project is a clear demonstration of our dedication to ensuring our eastern ports, such as Onne, play a more central role in our national maritime strategy.
“This will ultimately improve our national maritime traffic. First and foremost, I would like to extend our profound gratitude and commendation to the management of West Africa Container Terminal for their substantial investment in this vital infrastructure.
“Your commitment to advancing Nigeria’s maritime sector is truly commendable and serves as a shining example of foreign direct investment into our nation’s economy.”
The management noted that the expanded yard space, which has almost doubled, not only provides for bigger space but also lifts safety standards through optimised container stacking, minimising the risk of collisions.
State-of-the-art access control and CCTV systems create an unparalleled secure environment for cargo and personnel.
“The updated traffic management plan also contributes to a safer environment. A groundbreaking 1MW solar power generation facility installed at WACT showcases APM Terminals’ dedication to decarbonising its operations,” the management noted.
During the inauguration, Olaf Gelhausen, Chief Operating Officer of APM Terminals, said: “This $115m investment is a bold statement of our faith in Nigeria’s economic potential. As Africa’s largest economy and most populous nation, Nigeria stands on the brink of remarkable growth.”
Gelhausen further stated that “we are proud to be catalysts in this journey, transforming WACT into a world-class facility that is lifting standards to drive trade and prosperity across West Africa.
“The transformative upgrade project at WACT embodies APM Terminals’ vision of lifting standards in the industry. We’re enhancing capacity, redefining customer experience, and forging stronger partnerships with the Nigerian government to lift global trade.”
APM Terminals is deeply committed to Nigeria, with its two container terminals in Lagos and Onne handling about half of the containers going in and out of Nigeria. WACT is one of the best-performing terminals in West Africa, offering customers safe, reliable, and efficient services.
APM Terminals has also intensified its talks with the Nigerian administration and port authority to make its plans for future investments concrete. A proposal to invest more than USD 500 million in the future is built on the foundation of a long-term partnership.
Besides operating highly efficient terminals, the company intends to contribute to the development of the local communities and bring opportunities for growth and new prospects for Nigerians.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, represented by his Senior Adviser (Technical), Prof Babatunde Bernard; the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Olufemi Oloruntola.
Others were the Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr Adewale Adeniyi; the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, represented by the Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Olalekan Badmus; the Executive Secretary/CEO of Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Pius Akutah, and the Managing Director of the Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority, Alhaji Bamanga Jada, among others.
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