FG to ensure 100% scanning of cargoes at Ports

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation/Marine and Blue Economy, Olufemi Oloruntola has assured the management team of APM Terminals that the President Bola Tinubu-led administration is ready to tinker with Ports’ operation to realise the N10 Trillion projection for the Sector.

According to Oloruntola, in doing this, the Government will not be willing to depreciate the shared value of what has been existing in the Ports.

The Permanent Secretary stated this when he received the Chief Executive Officer of the APM Terminals, Frederik Klinke at his office in Abuja.

He added that the present administration is doing everything possible to ensure 100% scanning of cargoes rather than allow physical inspection as the administration knows that only this will bring about effectiveness and efficiency of operations within Nigerian Ports.

The Permanent Secretary also noted that the Ministry plans to upgrade cargo scanning from the present status of 25% to 100% by procuring 4 additional scanners where there is presently one.

Speaking earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of the APM Terminals, Nigeria, Frederik Klinke revealed that the Company has its largest terminals’ operation 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 Inland Dry Port in Kano.

The visitor who came in company of Chinenye Mirian Deinde, the General Manager Legal and Corporate Affairs of APM Terminals, 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 the supply chains in the country to support the economic growth and if in particular, it is to realize the $1 Trillion target it ascribes to the marine economy.

The APM Terminals CEO further pleaded with the Permanent Secretary to allow APM Terminals to be much more involved: “We hope to invest more in the scanners in a way that is economically sustainable; as right now, what is on ground is just 25% of what is required.” He also recommended that at Onne Port, Federal Ministry of Transport/Marine and Blue Economy should consider it as urgent, to link rail connection to the terminal operations.

Frederik Klinke further requested that the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and the Permanent Secretary should be part of the commissioning of the total investment which 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 should consider the interest of APMT which has terminal and shipping interest in the 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.