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West Africa Container Terminal, owned by APM Terminals, has unveiled a new container freight station in Onne Port, Rivers State.
In the statement, the company said that the new facility would WACT a step closer towards its strategic vision of becoming the ‘gateway to Eastern Nigeria and beyond.
It added that it would enable it to offer a comprehensive suite of logistics solutions to empower Nigerian businesses and further boost efficiency and access.
West Africa Container Terminal, which started commercial operation in 2006, was the first greenfield container terminal in Nigeria to be built under a public-private partnership model.
The terminal is located within the Oil and Gas Free Zone in Onne Port, Rivers State and has grown to become the most efficient gateway to markets outside the Lagos area.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the facility recently, the Managing Director of WACT, Jeethu Jose, said the facility would act as a central hub for various trade-related activities, “including interaction with regulatory authorities and seamlessly connect businesses in Eastern Nigeria to the global marketplace and vice versa”.
“It would also support streamlined processes for import and export operations and reduce time and cost for customers,” he declared.
Jose explained that crafted solutions at the CFS were designed to expedite the movement of key Nigerian commodities like agro products and solid minerals, “ensuring Just-in-Time service delivery through efficient stuffing and swift transfers to the port”.
The facility, according to him, also offers a reliable warehousing service for import and export cargo across diverse sectors.
The WACT boss said that the facility would serve as a one-stop-shop where all their customers could consolidate their exports.
“The facility will aid the Nigerian government’s drive to promote export and generate forex, which will be beneficial to the country and the economy,” Jose said.
Also, WACT Commercial Manager, Ismaila Badjie, described the facility as the first of its kind in Onne Port.
“The CFS has a lot of benefits to the customer. It is cost-effective and ensures that there is as little as possible in terms of waste of time. The facility would help the customers in the non-oil exports. This facility would also continue to support and ensure that natural produce is available abroad, and would directly or indirectly aid the creation of jobs,” he remarked.
The Customs Area Controller, Port Harcourt II Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Baba Imam, congratulated WACT for the facility and its milestone achievements at the port.
