Eniola Peters
The concessionaire of Terminal ‘B’, Warri Old Port, Ocean & Cargo Terminal Services Limited is to pay N14.8billion ($40.53million) concession fee into the coffer of government for 25 years
According to the Director-General of Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Alex Okoh, the annual lease fee would be $1,621,500, in addition to the entry fee and monthly throughput fee chargeable on the volume of cargo handled..
Okoh said at the official hand over of the terminal to the concessionaire that the Nigerian Ports were the main gateway to the country.
The Managing Director of the authority, Hadiza Bala-Usman and Director General of BPE, Mr. Alex Okoh handed over the terminal to the concessionaire
Usman, who was represented by the Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Dr. Sokonte Davies, pledged the support of NPA to the concessionaire.
The managing director urged the host communities to cooperate with the company in order for it to operate successfully at the port.
Also, Group Executive Vice Chairman, SIFAX Group, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, said the new business will not only stimulate economic activities in the local communities, but also contribute greatly to the country’s economic prosperity.
Usman 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.”
Earlier, Okoh had described the bidding process that led to the concession as transparent.
He added that the best bidder eventually emerged as the winner.
The director general 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.
He said: “Port constitutes a strategic gateway to the country and the nation’s economic prosperity depends to a large extent on how efficient the maritime industry fares. That’s the major reason the industry has received a great attention from this administration. 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.”
The Group Managing Director, SIFAX Group, Mr. Adekunle Oyinloye, the concessionaire’s lead partner, promised that the company would 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 pledged that 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.
