The Vice President of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima, on Wednesday inaugurated West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) in Onne, Rivers .
This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Olaf Gelhausen,Chief Executive Officer of APM Terminals, in Lagos on Wednesday.
The Vice President, who was represented by the Personal Assistant to the President on Subnational Infrastructure, Office of the Vice President, Musaddiq Mustapha, commended APM Terminals for its huge investment in WACT.
Shettima assured the company that the Federal Government would continue to provide enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
He said the 115 million dollar investment in WACT upgrade would further enhance service delivery at the port and attract more vessels to the port.
“Nigeria is a country of significant opportunities. APM Terminals’ investment in WACT is a clear sign of the company’s strong commitment to developing port, that are a lifeline to global trade.
“Nigeria will continue collaborating with APM Terminals in the long term to create an environment where businesses participating in global trade can thrive,” the Vice President said.
He added that the upgradeed project was a testament to APM Terminals’ vision of lifting standards of efficiency, reliability, and local excellence in Nigeria.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Gboyega Oyetola, commended APM Terminals for the huge investment in WACT.
The minister assured that the ministry would continue to support terminal operators to modernise the port and reduce the cost of doing business at the nation’s gateway.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said the WACT upgrade would support the revenue drive of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)
“This will generate more revenue, facilitate trade and curtail the smuggling of harmful and dangerous goods into Nigeria,”he said.
The Managing Director of NPA, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, represented by the Executive Director Marine & Operations, Engr. Olalekan Badmus, said that the project was a clear demonstration of dedication.
“This dedication is to ensuring our eastern ports, such as Onne, play a more central role in our national maritime strategy.
“This will ultimately improve our national maritime traffic.
“First and foremost, I will like to extend our profound gratitude and commendation to the management of West Africa Container Terminal for their substantial investment in this vital infrastructure.
“Your commitment to advancing Nigeria’s maritime sector is truly commendable and serves as a shining example of foreign direct investment
into our nation’s economy,”he said.
Gelhausen said the investment was a bold statement of the faith in Nigeria’s economic potential.
“As Africa’s largest economy and most populous nation, Nigeria stands on the brink of remarkable growth.
“We are proud to be catalysts in this journey, transforming WACT into a world-class facility that is lifting standards to drive trade and prosperity across West Africa.
“The transformative upgrade project at WACT embodies APM Terminals’ vision of lifting standards in the industry.
“We are enhancing capacity, redefining customer experience, and forging stronger partnerships with the Nigerian government to lift global trade,”he said.(NAN)
