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"Vice President Shettima Unveils $115 Million Operational Terminal at Onne Seaport, Boosting Nigeria's Maritime Sector"

Yakubu Haruna Yakubu 

In a significant milestone for Nigeria's maritime industry, Vice President Kashim Shettima has inaugurated a state-of-the-art operational terminal equipment worth $115 million at the Onne Seaport in Rivers State. The upgrade, spearheaded by the West Africa Container Terminal (WACT), a subsidiary of APM Terminals, is set to enhance the terminal's operations and promote ease of doing business in the country.

Represented by his Personal Assistant on Subnational Infrastructure, Mr. Musaddiq Mustapha, Vice President Shettima reaffirmed the federal government's commitment to infrastructure development as a driver of economic growth. He highlighted the new facility's advanced features, including terminal machinery, technology, administrative building, maintenance workshop, and upgraded CCTV surveillance system, which will provide expanded opportunities for trade development within the Nigerian maritime sector.

The inauguration, which took place on Wednesday at the Onne Port, marked the beginning of a new chapter for the port, according to Shettima. He praised the dedication and commitment of WACT and its partners, who have contributed resources and expertise to actualize this vision.

Managing Director of APM Terminals, Mr. Frederik Klinke, commended the federal government for creating an enabling environment that has facilitated ease of doing business in Nigeria. He noted that APM Terminals has maintained a strong safety record over nearly three decades of terminal operations and has launched various manpower development programs that have positively impacted its host communities.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, praised APM Terminals for its significant investment in the West Africa Container Terminal (WACT). He assured that the ministry would continue to support terminal operators in modernizing the port and reducing the cost of doing business at the nation's key entry points.

Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, also noted that the WACT upgrade would enhance the Nigeria Customs Service's (NCS) revenue generation efforts.

The inauguration of the $115 million operational terminal equipment is a testament to the federal government's commitment to infrastructure development and its efforts to promote ease of doing business in Nigeria. With this upgrade, the Onne Seaport is poised to become a major hub for trade and commerce in West Africa, driving economic growth and development in the region.