Ocean and Cargo Terminal Services Limited, the concessionaire of the Warri Port Terminal B, has formerly taken possession of the terminal after the formal handover by both the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE).
The handover was done by Hadiza Bala Usman, managing director of the NPA, who was represented by the executive director, Marine and Operations, Sokonte Davies, and Alex Okoh, director general of the BPE.
Bala Usman, while pledging the support of her agency to the concessionaire, urged the host communities to cooperate with the new concessionaire in order to enable them operate successfully at the port and greatly impact the local economy around.
“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. The NPA will provide the necessary support to help you settle down and operate successfully,” he said.
On his own part, Alex Okoh described the bidding process that led to the concession as 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 while reiterating the stance of BPE to monitor the company’s operations for strict compliance to the terms of agreement.
“Ports constitute strategic gateways to the country and the nation’s economic prosperity depends to a large extent on how efficient the maritime industry fares. That is the major reason the industry has received great attention from this administration. We also recognised that port efficiency can best be achieved with private sector involvement. That is 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 listed 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.
Taiwo Afolabi, group executive vice chairman, SIFAX Group, said the new business will stimulate economic activities in the local communities and also contribute greatly to the country’s economic prosperity.
AMAKA ANAGOR-EWUZIE
