Percy Onyeka
The Federal Government (FG) has said 100 per cent scanning of cargo rather than physical inspection will soon be implemented within the Nigerian ports.
FG also disclosed plans to upgrade cargo scanning from the present status of 25 per cent to 100% by procuring four additional scanners where there is currently one, noting that the move would bolster the effectiveness and efficiency of operations.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Marine, and Blue Economy, Olufemi Oloruntola, said this when he received in the audience the Chief Executive Officer of the APM Terminals in Abuja.
He assured the management team of APM Terminals that the present administration is ready to tinker with ports’ operations to realise the N10 trillion projection for the sector.
While he was speaking earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of APM Terminals, Nigeria, Frederik Klinke, revealed that the company has its largest terminals’ operations concentrated in Onne Ports, having invested $110 million and hoping to have a similar feat in Apapa, Lagos Ports.
He also disclosed that the company operates the Inland Dry Port in Kano.
Klinke, who came in the company of the General Manager Legal and Corporate Affairs of APM Terminals, Chinenye Mirian Deinde, remarked that Nigeria is at a critical junction in terms of developing the logistics of its ports’ operations.
He added that the country also needs to develop its supply chains to support economic growth and, in particular, to realise the $1 trillion target it ascribes to the marine economy.
He further pleaded with the Permanent Secretary to allow APM Terminals to be much more involved, saying: “We hope to invest more in the scanners in a way that is economically sustainable; as right now, what is on the ground is just 25% of what is required.”
He recommended that at Onne Port, the Federal Ministry of Transport/Marine and Blue Economy consider it urgent to link rail connections to the terminal operations.
Meanwhile, Frederik Klinke has requested that the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and the Permanent Secretary be part of the commissioning of the total investment that APM Terminal has programmed to come up in May, 2024 at Onne.
As a long-term investment plan, the visiting Frederik Klinke asked that the government consider the interest of APMT, which has terminal and shipping interests in Badagry Port.
He revealed that APMT has already opened dialogue with the Badagry Port Development Company, which is planning the Badagry Port, which APMT sees as a supplement to the Lagos Port Complex.
Agency Report.
