At the Onne Seaport in Rivers State, Vice President Kashim Shettima has put into service terminal equipment valued at $115 million.
The West Africa Container Terminal (WACT), a major port terminal and an APM Terminals affiliate, led the refurbishment.
The Vice President was represented at the opening on Wednesday at the Onne Port by Mr. Musaddiq Mustapha, his Personal Assistant on Subnational Infrastructure.
Shettima restated the commitment of the federal government to using infrastructure development as a catalyst for economic expansion.
He emphasised that the new facility will improve terminal operations since it has cutting-edge terminal machinery, cutting-edge technology, an administrative office, a maintenance workshop, and an enhanced CCTV surveillance system.
He said, “Today’s event is not just a celebration and commitment by WACT and its partners, it also marks the beginning of a new chapter at Onne Port.”
“This equipment will provide expanded opportunities for trade development within the Nigerian maritime sector.”
“The achievement also demonstrates dedication and commitment of the company and other stakeholders who have contributed resources and expertise to actualising this vision,”
The managing director of APM Terminals, Mr. Frederik Klinke, commended the federal government for establishing a conducive atmosphere that has made conducting business in Nigeria easier.
Klinke emphasised that the organisation has a solid safety record spanning almost thirty years of terminal operations.
As part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives, he added, APM Terminals has introduced a number of workforce development programs that have benefited the communities in which it operates.
encouragement of income growth and simplicity of doing business
APM Terminals received commendation from Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, for its large investment in the West Africa Container Terminal (WACT).
He gave the assurance that the government would keep helping terminal operators modernise the port and lower operating costs at the main entry points into the country.
Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller-General of Customs, added that the Nigeria Customs Service’s (NCS) efforts to generate income would be strengthened by the WACT update.
