The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) have commended APM Terminals, Apapa for transforming port business, upgrade of port facility and exceeding government expectations in port infrastructure.
Speaking over the weekend when APM Terminals, Apapa, celebrated the 17th anniversary of its port concession agreement it signed with the federal government in 2006 and honouring of its founders and 76 pioneer employees, the managing director of NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko, praised APM Terminals for fulfilling its concession agreement with the federal government and also for delivering efficient service at the port.
Bello-Koko, who was represented by the authority’s general manager, Monitoring and Regulatory Services, Seyi Iyawe, assured APM Terminals of NPA’s continued collaboration and support.
“You have transformed the port business and have become a force to be reckoned with. Through APM Terminals, NPA has been able to upgrade the port facility. We must also acknowledge the fact that you have been compliant to all the rules and regulations guiding the port. We celebrate your uniqueness and expertise,” Bello-Koko said.
Also speaking, the representative of the director general, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Amaechi Aloke, expressed delight over the performance of APM Terminals Apapa since it won concession of the container terminal.
He said, the success of the APM Terminals concession, which was the first to be concluded by the BPE in 2006, created the opportunity for the federal government to enter into other concession agreements to develop the port and other critical infrastructures across the country.
Speaking earlier while delivering his welcome address at the event, the Country managing director, APM Terminals Nigeria, Frederik Klinke, said the 17th anniversary celebration was the occasion to thank the federal government for granting the port concession and to acknowledge the contribution of its shareholders, staff and partners to the modernisation of the terminal.
Klinke said, the concession enabled APM Terminals to develop the critical port infrastructure for the benefit of the Nigerian economy.
The Terminal Manager of APM Terminals Apapa, Steen Knudsen, while presenting the 17th Anniversary Photobook highlighting the transformation of the terminal between 2006 and 2023, said the substantial investment made by the company in facility upgrade, training, equipment and technology has boosted service delivery at the port.
‘For APM Terminals Apapa, it has been a success story of transformation, improved efficiency, innovation, and value-added service,’ Knudsen said.
He said, the investment by APM Terminals Apapa has led to improved terminal infrastructure, including the acquisition of high-grade terminal equipment such as Mobile Harbour Cranes (MHCs), Rubber-Tyred Gantry Cranes (RTGs) and many others as well as civil works including a world standard administrative building with full information technology capacity.
Senior Human Resources Business Partner of APM Terminals Nigeria, Uzoma Ben-Ude, while anchoring the presentation of awards to the company’s pioneer staff, said: “we have a total of 76 employees that have been with us since 2006 till date which shows that we have people who have been loyal to the company and they have also grown over the years. This has been a very mutually beneficial relationship. They have worked hard and their lives have also improved.”
Also speaking, the Commercial manager of APM Terminals Apapa, Temilade Ogunniyi, assured that, the company will continue to collaborate with relevant government agencies and stakeholders to build a vibrant economy.
In his goodwill message, the Ambassador of Denmark to Nigeria, Ambassador Sune Krogstrup, commended APM Terminals for being the bellwether of port operation in Nigeria, while assuring that Denmark, where the Maersk group is headquartered, will continue to deepen its economic ties and relationship with Nigeria.
