Ports & Cargo’s multi-million dollar investment in infrastructure grows capacity by 220% in 10yrs
Ports and Cargo Handling Services Limited (PCHSL), a leading indigenous terminal operator in charge of Terminal ‘C’ of Tin-Can Island port, has grown its operating capacity by 220 percent from 5,000 Twenty Equivalent Units (TEUs) inherited from the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in 2006 to 16,000 TEUs, within 10 years of handling cargo in Nigerian port.
This tremendous transformation can be attributed to the multi-million dollar worth of investment in terminal infrastructure, acquisition of equipment and training of personnel, which have succeeded in transforming the terminal into a modern and information technology-driven seaport.
Speaking during its 10th anniversary press conference in Lagos recently, Mohammed Bulangu, managing director of Ports & Cargo, who noted that the coming of private investors into Nigerian seaport through concession has brought huge improvement in service delivery, also said that PCHSL has become a yardstick for measuring the success of port concession in Nigeria.
According to him, the terminal has fully complied with and exceeded its obligations regarding acquisition of plants and equipment as required in the concession agreement.
The firm, he disclosed, proposed to buy three ship-to-shore cranes but ended up in buying six; it proposed six rubber-tyred gantries (RTGs), but bought 10; it also acquired 43 terminal tractors; 14 forklifts; 23 reach stackers; heavy-duty generating sets and tractors, among others.
“As a result of the management’s commitment to turn the terminal around through investment in infrastructure, plants and equipment; Terminal ‘C’ has witnessed tremendous development and has transformed from the decayed terminal inherited from NPA to a modern port comparable to any port in the world,” Bulangu states.
The investment made so far in the terminal, he said, has allowed it to improve port operations through efficient service delivery. “PCHSL has improved the security situation in the port and this has reduced loss or vandalisation of cargo through the activities of ‘wharf rat’. The computerisation of its operations as well as the use of tracking system, OSCAR, has enhanced service delivery.”
The PCHSL boss, who noted that the first few years of concession were challenging due to poor state of infrastructure, further disclosed that the terminal deployed high mast lighting system including a high powered generators to ensure a 24-hour supply of light to the terminal, such that night shifts are not disrupted.
“To enhance security, gate-houses and ISPS compliant see-through wire mess fencing was constructed in the terminal. Also, digital security gadgets (CCTV camera) were installed.”
Continuing, he opines: “We have renovated the terminal’s operation buildings, sheds, warehouses, mechanical workshop and toilets facilities. We also provided radio communicating gadgets to enhance communication and service delivery.”
Ports and Cargo, which has standard warehouse that can house about 8,200 metric tons of cargo, also built a befitting edifice for officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and other government regulatory agencies to carry out cargo inspection at the terminal. In addition, it cleared the quay and the adjoining open spaces of mud and oil spillage.
The management also provided fire-fighting equipment and muster points at strategic locations in the terminal, even as it regularly trains staff on fire prevention and curtailment strategies.
Uzoamaka Anagor-Ewuzie & CHIGOZIE EGWUATU