Shettima inaugurates $115m upgraded APM Terminal in Onne

Vice President Kashim Shettima, yesterday, inaugurated $115m upgraded APM project at the West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) in Onne, Rivers State.

According to statement, the investment underscores APM Terminals’ unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s economic growth and solidifies its position as a key trade hub in West Africa.

“With the upgrade, APM Terminals reaffirms its role as a key player in lifting global trade and creating opportunities for communities across Nigeria and West Africa,” it said.

The inauguration was attended by dignitaries, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, represented by his Senior Adviser (Technical), Prof Babatunde Bolaji Bernard; Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Olufemi Oloruntola; Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr Adewale Adeniyi; the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), represented by the Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Olalekan Badmus; the Executive Secretary/CEO of Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Pius Akutah; and the Managing Director of the Oil & Gas Free Zone Authority (OGFZA), Bamanga Usman Jada, among others.

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, and assured the company that the Federal Government would continue to provide enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

He said the $115m investment in the 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 ports 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 upgrade project is a testament to APM Terminals’ vision of lifting standards of efficiency, reliability, and local excellence in Nigeria.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, who also commended APM Terminals for the huge investment in WACT, said 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 will support the efforts of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to generate more revenue, facilitate trade and curtail the smuggling of harmful and dangerous goods into Nigeria.

The Managing Director of NPA, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, represented by the Executive Director Marine & Operations, Olalekan Badmus, said: “This project is a clear demonstration of our dedication 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.”

During the inauguration, the Chief Operating Officer of APM Terminals, Olaf Gelhausen, said: “This USD 115 million investment is a bold statement of our faith in Nigeria’s economic potential.”