Leading indigenous port terminal operator in Nigeria; Ports and Cargo Handling Company, has secured an extension on its concession agreement with the Federal Government by five years.
Ports and Cargo Handling Company, a subsidiary of Sifax Group which is the operator of terminal ‘C’ at the Tin Can Island Port has also expressed future intention of extending the lease agreement further.
Speaking at the 10th Anniversary Press Conference to mark the Port Concession at the terminal in Lagos yesterday, Managing Director of the terminal; Alhaji Mohammed Bulangu told journalists that the terminal in the last 10 years has been able to meet all the obligations in its five years development plan regarding infrastructural development and equipment acquisition.
He said that at inception, Ports and Cargo inherited a 5000 TEUs capacity terminal, but that it has grown this to 16,000 TEUs. The terminal according to him, has also established a standard warehouse that can store 8,200 metric tonnes of cargoes.
Bulangu said, since taking over the terminal on 11th May, 2006 the company has taken giant steps by investing and surpassing the projections in its terminal development plan.
He explained that being a wholly-owned indigenous company, the terminal is run by Nigerians and few expatriates, whose knowledge are being transferred to Nigerians to take over the duties completely.
“Our agreement has been extended by five years and we are even working to see if it could be extended further. The concession agreement gave provision for expatriates in other to transfer knowledge and this is what we are doing”, he said.
While highlighting some of the successes recorded by the terminal in 10 years, he listed them to include: acquisition of 10 units of rubber tyre gantries (RTG), 43 terminal tractors, 14 forklifts, 23 reach Stackers, heavy duty generating sets, tractors among others.
He said there has been witnessing improvement in computerisation of operations and the provision of terminal operation and tracking system.
He said that activities of vandals known as ‘wharf rats’ have been reduced to the barest minimum due to improved security situation in the port, he said cargoes are safe at the terminal.
”Health and safety policies are given serious attention, a well-equipped clinic manned by medical doctors and other qualified personnel is provided in the terminal, complemented by two ambulances”
“The surface of the quay and adjoining open spaces has been cleared of mud and oil spillage, we have provided fire fighting equipment and muster point at strategic locations”
“We have fully complied with and exceeded our obligations regarding acquisition of plants and equipment. For instance we proposed to buy 3 ship-to-shore cranes but bought 6
“We proposed to buy six rubber tyre gantries (RTG) but bought 10. Other equipment acquired include 43 terminal tractors, 14 forklifts, 23 reach Stackers, heavy duty generating sets, tractors among others” he said.
Bulangu however said the terminal’s activities are hampered by bad portion of the Apapa expressway. According to him, this makes the transfer of containers to Sifax bonded terminals difficult.
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