Following its investment in port development worth over N126 billion, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) has commended the management of APM Terminals for its compliance with the post-acquisition plan.
APM Terminals Apapa, which took over the concession of Apapa Container Terminal in 2006, has invested $350 million to develop infrastructure, acquire modern cargo handling equipment, modernised the terminal, installed IT hardware and software systems, and additional capacity.
The investment has resulted in significant improvements in productivity, with zero waiting time for vessels berthing, and doubling of container volume.
In 2016, it acquired four additional Rubber Tyre Gantry cranes (RTGs), bringing the total to 14, and is presently the highest owned by any port operator in Nigeria.
In 2013, the terminal restored a regular rail service, running three times per week to the inland cities of Kaduna, 730km (455 miles) and Kano, 960km (600 miles).
In 2014, the terminal was named the “Most Environmentally Conscious Port Operator at the Lagos Port Complex” by the Nigerian Port Authority’s Environment Department of the Health, Safety and Environment Division and it has maintained the standards.
Yusuf Adamu, director in charge of Post Privatisation Department in BPE, said after monitoring the activities of terminal operators in Apapa Port, that the investments and revenue contribution by port concessionaires like APM Terminals to government in the last 13 years, has been massive.
“Before concession, this place was like a market, with uncontrolled movements of people leading to rampant thievery. Some of the quay walls served as residential places. Today, we see the level of investments made by concessionaires which is in millions of dollars, and these facilities will eventually revert to government at the end of the agreed period,” said Adamu, who also commended other concessionaires in Apapa Port.
According to him, concessionaires have been paying annual throughput and lease fees without default since 2006 and it runs in millions of dollars.
During the tour, APM Terminals and other operators at the Apapa port briefed the BPE team on their investments in line with the Post-Acquisition Plan, and equally conducted them round for verification and clarification of issues.
Martin Jacob, managing director of APM Terminals Apapa, assured of the company’s commitment to supporting the growth of the Nigerian economy. He also expressed support for the Federal Government’s non-oil export drive.
According to Jacob, in addition to meeting international security requirements outlined by the International Ships and Ports Facility Security Code (ISPS Code), APM Terminals Apapa, also abides by its global safety requirements. It operates a truck safety programme that provides designated and physically protected areas for drivers conducting operational activities outside of their truck cabs.
