APM Terminals flags off tree planting exercise for greener port

Martin Jacob, managing director of APM Terminals Apapa, has reiterated the company’s commitment to building a sustainable and greener port environment.

Jacob said this recently during the flag-off a tree planting exercise at the terminal in Apapa, Lagos as part of the company’s ‘2017 Go Green campaign’.

“APM Terminals is proud to be participating in the Go Green campaign. Go Green is an awareness building program started by the Global Ports Group (GPG), an association of port and terminal operators, collaborating on key Environmental, Health, Safety and Security topics,” he said.

According to him, this year’s GPG’s Environment Group focused on a number of activities and developing technologies to reduce CO2 emission from terminal operations, particularly through alternative fuels, renewable power generation, hybrid and electric container handling equipment.

He disclosed that APM Terminals teamed up with other leading container terminal and port operators to launch the Go Green initiative in 2015.

The campaign, Jacob said, is the first joint industry initiative geared towards promoting environmental awareness and achieving a sustainable difference in the communities.

“Together with the communities and our employees, we can address the critical issues facing the environment such as pollution, climate variations, carbon footprint and global warming,” said APM Terminals, when the initiative was launched in 2015.

Jacob however said the annual Go Green campaign represents APM Terminals’ effort to create a sustainable and friendly environment within the ports. “We take our environmental friendliness and sustainability very seriously, which is why we participate in Go Green activities every year,” he said.

Arun Kalam, head, Health and Safety, APM Terminals Nigeria, said the annual campaign creates awareness on the importance of a green environment.

“We had three projects for this year’s event and they include Go Green walk- a five-kilometre walk for APM Terminals staff and their family members during which we laid emphasis on reducing pollution and improving individual well-being. We also visited Randle High School, Apapa where we engaged the senior class on their role in protecting the environment through recycling and planting trees.”

Other activities include creating and upgrading local green spaces, launching educational programmes, adopting waste recycling measures and community engagement, which we observed every year since 2015 as part of the Go Green campaign.

Uzoamaka Anagor-Ewuzie