Importers doing business in Apapa and Tin-Can Island Ports can now heave a sigh of relief as SIFAX Group, an indigenous terminal has taken a step further to acquire and build a new bounded terminal along Lagos coastline.
With this facility that is situated along the Ebute Metta Creek in Ijora, consignees can now avoid the dreaded Apapa gridlock by designating their cargoes to the new terminal where containers can be moved from the main seaports using barges.
Speaking at the commissioning of the facility in Lagos on Wednesday, Taiwo Afolabi, Group Executive Vice Chairman of SIFAX Group, said the company decided to invest in the facility to make the process of cargo clearing a wonderful experience as opposed to what is obtainable currently.
Afolabi, who was represented by Adekunle Oyinloye, Group Managing Director, SIFAX Group, said the new terminal, which would be a model and sits on 11 acres of land, will leverage on technology and innovations to deliver an unparalleled customer experience as well as cutting-edge inland container services.
“The SIFAX Container Terminal, Ijora, Lagos is our modest response to a major issue in the maritime industry – access to Lagos ports. The logistics nightmare in Apapa caused by the traffic congestion experienced by port users compelled the group to look for a solution that addresses thus seemingly intractable problem. With this terminal, agents, truckers and consignees don’t have to go to the ports before getting their consignments cleared,” he said.
On the unique advantages of the terminal, Afolabi said consignment would be transferred primarily through barges from Apapa and Tin-Can Island ports, adding that the good road network in the area also offers clients faster and efficient cargo clearing.
“This terminal is IT-driven because the Group has decided to invest in technology to sustain quality service delivery to our clients.” Afolabi further said.
In his business presentation, Paul Linden, managing director of Ijora Causeway Terminal, expressed the readiness of the terminal to exceed the expectations of clients through the acquisition of modern cargo handling equipment and deployment of experienced as well as professional workforce.
Hadiza Bala Usman, managing director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), who was represented by Onari Brown, executive director, Marine and Operations, commended SIFAX Group for its solution-driven mindset and aggressiveness in pursuing the dream of getting the terminal ready for operations in record time.
She promised the support and cooperation of the agency in realizing the vision of the new business.
Vicky Haastrup, Executive Vice Chairman, ENL Consortium and Chairman, Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) lauded SIFAX Group for always being at the forefront of innovations in the country’s maritime sector.
