Freight forwarders operating at Onne Port, Rivers State have commended the West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) for improving service delivery that has resulted in reduction in waiting time of ships, leading to reduced vessel turnaround time.
They also commended WACT for its investment in cargo handling equipment in response to unprecedented growth in container volume at the port.
This year, WACT has invested $14million (N5 billion) in the acquisition of modern cargo handling equipment including two Mobile Harbour Cranes, 14 specialised terminal trucks and two reach stackers.
“There has been substantial increase in import volume and to measure up with that, they have acquired a lot of equipment to ease cargo clearance. They are doing very well and every week, they receive between three to four ships. They are keeping up with the demand, they can receive vessels, do loading and drop containers for examination, all at the same time,” Gabriel Okonkwo, chairman, Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (AREFFN), Onne Port, said.
Emma Nnwamkpa, chairman, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Onne Port, said that WACT brought new equipment over the last six months in order not to have any delays in working at the facility.
Also, Adolphus Ugwu, chairman, Flat and Cargo Trailer Drivers Association, said the upgrade and massive investment at the terminal have brought about high level of efficiency at the port.
“WACT has improved on their operations seriously. Initially, we used to face occasional delays but now they are doing well because they have acquired a lot of equipment. We don’t have much traffic inside the terminal. Presently, cargo volume in Onne has increased, but WACT is well positioned to handle it without any issues,” he said.
According to him, WACT is also working with Customs and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to address the issue of longstanding containers that are blocking a lot of slots in the terminal.
AMAKA ANAGOR-EWUZIE
