Ports&Cargo Refutes Inefficient Barging Operations, Donates Equipment To NPA

On Dec 10, 2020

L-R: Hon. Onari Brown, Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Nigerian Ports Authority; Capt. Ibraheem Olugbade, Executive Director, Administration, Ports & Cargo Handling Services Limited and Tobi Afolabi, Executive Director, Operations, Ports & Cargo Handling Services Limited during the donation of 10 desktop computers, 10 printers, 10 UPS and two large photocopy machines by Ports & Cargo Handling Services Limited, the flagship company of SIFAX Group to the Nigerian Ports Authority Wednesday.

Captain Ibraheem Olugbade, the Executive Director, Administration, Ports &Cargo Handling Services Limited (PCHS), operator of the Terminal C, Tin Can Island Port, Lagos, has debunked some news reports that the terminal isn’t efficiently performed in barge operations.

According to a statement, by the concessionaire, many terminal operators have adopted barge as an alternative option for cargo transfer in view of the deplorable access roads that have made transfer through the road a nightmarish experience.

According to Olugbade, while reacting to the reports, Ports & Cargo terminal is the number one in the handling of barges at the Tin Can Island Port, Lagos, going by the volume of cargoes and the investment made in cargo handling equipment.

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He said: “It is not right for the terminal to be accused of not doing well in barge operations.

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” The terminal does an average of 800 TEUs through the barge on a monthly basis while its dwelling time is just some days.

” We have invested in barges and some new equipment that guarantee improvement in our operations .“Due to the reliable and efficient barge operations at our terminal, the empty and export containers of MSC from other terminals always 7nd their way to Ports &Cargo terminal.

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“The major challenge is that not much is happening in terms of cargo transfer through the road. The roads are not accessible. The congestion is unbearable.

All the adjoining roads and streets around the ports are blocked. Trucks stay for weeks just to access the terminals. Even those who load in the terminal find it difficult to exit. Ports and Cargo can’t be blamed for this.”

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Also Ports & Cargo Handling Services Limited (PCHS), operator of Terminal C, Tin Can Island Port, Lagos, has donated some office equipment to the Nigerian Ports Authority to cushion the effect of the agency’s losses during the EndSARS protest that was hijacked by hoodlums.

According to a statement, Wednesday, the office equipment donated by the subsidiary of SIFAX Group, include 10 desktop computers, 10 printers, 10 UPS and two large photocopy machines.

At the formal presentation ceremony of the items which was held at the NPA Headquarters, Marina, Lagos, Captain Ibraheem Olugbade, Executive Director, Administration, PCHS said the donation was meant to help the agency’s achieve minimal disruption to its operations as a result of the huge losses it suffered.

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He said: “We are saddened by the level of destruction inflicted on NPA by the hoodlums. As a company, we still can’t fathom any justifiable reason behind the heinous act. This donation is a fulfillment of the promise made during the condolence visit. It is our hope that these items will help the agency get back on its feet.”

In his response, Hon. Onari Brown, Executive Director, Marine & Operations, NPA, who received the equipment on behalf of NPA’s management, appreciated the terminal for the kind gesture.