The SIFAX Group-led consortium, Ocean and Cargo Terminal Services Limited, has been declared the preferred bidder of Terminal B, Warri Old Port in Delta State.
At a well-attended meeting held on Wednesday at the office of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) at Abuja, SIFAX Group beat other bidders to emerge the preferred bidder of the port.
BusinessDay understands that the Expression of Interest for the port was advertised in 2014. At the deadline of the submission of the EOIs, 13 applications were received. Out of the 13 applications, seven were pre-qualified. Out of these pre-qualified bidders, five were able to submit their technical and financial proposals on 31st January 2017, the deadline for submission of the proposals.
The five companies are Marine Infrastructure Consortium; Bright Ocean Integrated Services Limited; Ecomarine Consortium; Ocean and Cargo Terminal Services Limited and Neon Warri Ports Consortium. At the end of the evaluation of the technical proposal, Ecomarine Consortium and Ocean and Cargo Terminal Services Limited’s financial bids were qualified for the financial bid opening stage.
After the open transparent competitive bid process which is in line with international best practices, Ocean and Cargo Terminal Services Limited was declared the concessionaire of Terminal B, Old Warrri Port for a concession period of 25 years.
Taiwo Afolabi, Group executive vice chairman, SIFAX Group, expressed his appreciation to both the BPE and NCP for the transparent exercise, adding that the concession will enjoy the same touch that has now become the hallmark of SIFAX Group’s businesses.
“This is a great news for us as a company to have led this consortium to win this very competitive bid. While we are glad that we have emerged the preferred bidder, we are not unaware of the enormous responsibility this victory has conferred on us. However, it is a familiar territory for us having operated the Terminal C at the Tin Can Island Port, Lagos successfully in the last 12 years. We will fall back on the experience and expertise we have developed running the terminal to make a difference at the Warri Port,” Afolabi said.
John Jenkins, Group managing director, SIFAX Group, said the company, which is noted for its adherence to international best practices, will set new standards with the management of the new terminal.
“BPE, NPA and other relevant government agencies should look forward to an efficient port management system when we formally take over the control of the terminal while the clients are in for an unparalleled customer-focused service delivery that will put them at the heart of our operations,” he added.
The event had in attendance the representatives of the National Council for Privatisation (NCP), the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Infrastructural Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), among others.
AMAKA ANAGOR-EWUZIE
