To enhance operational efficiency and streamline trade activities, the West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) has inaugurated a new four-lane in-gate facility at Onne Port, Rivers State.
This development is part of WACT’s ambitious $115 million investment aimed at upgrading its terminal facilities.
The Managing Director of WACT, Jeethu Jose, highlighted that the introduction of the four-lane in-gate is aligned with the Federal Government’s objectives to improve the ease of doing business in Nigeria.
According to him, the facility is expected to notably improve security, access, and the speed at which cargo moves within the port environment.
Jose pointed out the strategic benefits of the new in-gate, noting its role in facilitating the timely booking for various transactions, including the pick-up of full imports, and the drop-off of both empty and full exports.
Additionally, the implementation of WACT’s Truck Appointment System (TAS) alongside the new in-gate aims to enhance the efficiency of truck operations within the facility.
Jose added that an anticipated reduction in truck turnaround time to under 45 minutes is among the primary advantages of this facility.
He said this efficiency is not only expected to lower costs for end customers but also alleviate congestion and improve overall throughput.
Jose explained that the inauguration of the in-gate underscores WACT’s commitment to fostering a robust public-private partnership with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), thereby supporting the NPA’s efforts to upgrade port infrastructure.
On his part, the Port Manager of Onne Port, Gangtim Cirdap Zhattau, represented by the Traffic Manager, Abolade Surajudeen, lauded the terminal operator’s collaborative efforts with NPA to bolster infrastructure and manage traffic effectively within the port premises.
