The Managing Director, NPA, Hajia HadizaBala Usman has handed over the possession of the Warri Port Terminal B to Ocean and Cargo Terminal Services Limited.
The handing over ceremony which took place in Warri, Delta had Officials of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) other agencies in attendance.
The Managing Director who was represented by the Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Dr. Sokonte Davies, and Director General, BPE, Mr. Alex Okoh, pledged the support of her agency to the concessionaire.
She expressed delight over the development, adding that NPA is saddled with the responsibility of ensuring an efficient and profitable port management in the country
Hadiza also urged the host communities to cooperate with the company in order to achieve growth, stressing that the presence and smooth operations of the new business will be beneficial to the immediate environment.
She said: “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. Be rest assured that NPA will provide the necessary support to help you settle down and operate successfully.
“Let me also use this opportunity to appeal to the host communities to support this company because the presence and smooth operations of this new business will greatly impact the local economy around here.”
Also speaking at the event, Mr. Alex Okoh described the bidding process that led to the concession as transparent, adding that the best bidder eventually emerged as the winner.
He further urged the concessionaire to abide by the terms of the contract agreement while reiterating the stance of BPE to monitor the company’s operations for strict agreement compliance.
Speaking on the importance of port to the nation’s economy, he described the port as a strategic gateway to the country and the nation’s economic prosperity depends to a large extent on how efficient the maritime industry fares.
He said: “We also recognized that port efficiency can best be achieved with the private sector involvement. That’s 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.”
Similarly, Mr. Adekunle Oyinloye, Group Managing Director, SIFAX Group, the concessionaire’s lead partner, promised that the company will create an efficient port that will be the pride of the country, and pledged that all areas of the port will receive deserving attention by the company.
