West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) has made another significant mark after commissioning a USD115 million four-lane in-gate facility at Onne port, Rivers State.
Recall that WACT also recently commissioned a new Container Freight Station. WACT is the first greenfield container terminal in Nigeria to be built under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
The new in-gate, combined with WACT’s Truck Appointment System (TAS), allows for faster booking and processing of imports, exports, and empty container drop-offs. The facility reduces congestion and waiting times, leading to lower costs and improved efficiency.
WACT’s investment, according to the company, demonstrates confidence in Nigeria’s economy and contributes to facilitating international trade.
Speaking at a ceremony to mark the commissioning of the new facility on Wednesday, the Managing Director of WACT, Jeethu Jose, said the new in-gate facility is part of the terminal’s USD115 million investment in the terminal upgrade project.
Jose, who highlighted the benefits of the new in-gate facility, pointed out tha it will improve efficiency and ease trade within the WACT.
He said the project is an indication of the strong public-private partnership between the company and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
Jose said: “This investment is a further testament of the trust and confidence APM Terminals has in Nigeria economy and part of the Group’s drive to improve lives for all while lifting global trade.
“This inauguration is also a great example of our strong public-private partnership with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). Just yesterday, the NPA launched the Road D stretch within the port.
“Today, WACT is complimenting NPA’s commitment to improve infrastructure within the port with the present in-gate commissioning. This is the result of the strong collaboration between WACT and NPA. The goal is to make the Onne Port and WACT the traders’ choice for both local and international players and this goal we shall pursue to the last,” he said.
“The new in-gate will help customers in the timely booking for pick-up of their full imports, empty drop-offs or full export drop-offs. With the WACT’s Truck Appointment System (TAS) in place, the new in-gate will help our customers to have more than one transaction on a truck in and or out of WACT facility easily.
“This gate will further help the truck turnaround time to be under 45 minutes thereby reducing costs to the end customer, reduce congestion along the road and help the throughput as well. We are therefore sweating our assets and removing waste in the process in order to improve efficiency and ease trade in WACT. This is in sharp consonance with the Federal Government’s drive of ease of doing business in Nigeria.
“This is a journey, and we will continue to innovate and bring in services and products to further improve our customer’s experience. We are here to make sure the cargo movement is simplified, and efficient at all times.”
Speaking, the Port Manager, Onne Port, Prince GC Zhattau, highlighted the contributions of WACT.
Zhattau, who was represented by the NPA Traffic Manager, Abolade Surajudeen, alongside the Chief Port Engineer, Engr. Uzo Akwarandu, commended the terminal operator for collaborating with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to enhance infrastructure and traffic operations within the port.
He said: “Essentially, WACT has been able to put up security cameras and call up systems to enhance traffic operation within the Road D port terminal and it is a good thing to us. By the time we finish all of this, we can start doing the traffic modelling.
“The management of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) also are looking into e-call up systems. With all these factors, I think the e-call up system and the gate facility of WACT will not be a problem.”
On his part, the Chairman, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) Haulage District, Eastern Ports Command, Comrade Adolphus Ugwu, expressed appreciation to WACT for its commitment in ensuring smooth service delivery to customers.
“Today is a great day indeed because before now, we have been having challenges accessing the port premises but by what we are seeing, this development will ease off congestion and delay in accessing the port. This place will make operations seamless for the truckers to pick up consignment,” he stated.
The event was attended by representatives from the Nigerian Ports Authority, Maritime Workers Union, and the WACT management team, signifying broad support for the project’s contribution to improved port operations.
The commissioning brings WACT closer towards its strategic vision of becoming the ‘gateway to Eastern Nigeria and beyond,’ offering a comprehensive suite of logistics solutions to empower Nigerian businesses and further boost operational efficiency, improve security, access, and expedite cargo movement within the port.