By Eniola Idris
SIFAX Group, a conglomerate with investments in Maritime, Aviation, Logistics, Oil & Gas, Hospitality and Financial Services sectors, has opened a new container terminal in Lagos to enhance the efficiency of Lagos seaports.
The new terminal, located along the Ebute Metta Creek, Ijora, Lagos, is expected to bring relief to importers who can now take delivery of their cargoes with less stress of traffic congestion.
Speaking at the formal commissioning of the facility, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, Group Executive Vice Chairman, SIFAX Group, said the company decided to invest in the facility to make the process of cargo clearing a wonderful experience as opposed to what is obtainable currently in Apapa.
Afolabi, who was represented by the Group Managing Director, SIFAX Group, Adekunle Abdulrazak Oyinloye, said the new terminal, which would be a model and sits on an 11 acres of land, will leverage on technology and innovations to deliver an unparalleled customer experience as well as cutting-edge inland container services.
He said: “The SIFAX Container Terminal, Ijora, Lagos is our modest response to a major issue in the maritime industry – access to Lagos ports. The logistics nightmare in Apapa occasioned by the traffic congestion experienced by port users compelled the group to look for a solution that addresses thus seemingly intractable problem. With this terminal, agents, truckers and consignees don’t have to go to the ports before getting their consignments cleared.”
On the unique advantages of the terminal, Afolabi said consignment would be transferred primarily through barges from both Apapa and Tin Can Island ports, adding that the good road network in the area also offers clients faster and efficient cargo clearing.
“Another key advantage of this terminal is that it is IT-driven. The Group has decided to invest in technology to sustain the business to our clients’ satisfaction.” Afolabi added.
The Managing Director, Paul Linden, expressed the readiness of the terminal to exceed the expectations of clients through the acquisition of modern cargo equipment and deployment of an experienced and professional workforce backed by the over three-decade experience of SIFAX Group in the maritime industry.
Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman, commended SIFAX Group for its solution-driven mindset and aggressiveness in pursuing the dream of getting the terminal ready for operations in record time.
Bala Usman, who was represented by the Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Onari Brown, promised the support and cooperation of the agency in realizing the vision of the new business.
Executive Vice Chairman, ENL Consortium and Chairman, Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), Princess Vicky Haastrup, lauded SIFAX Group for always being at the forefront of innovations in the country’s maritime sector.
High ranking dignitaries such as Oba Fatai Oyeyinka, Ojora of Ijora land; Hakeem Odumosu, Commissioner of Police, Lagos; Adewale Adeyanju, President General, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) and Mohammed Abba Kura, Customs Area Controller, Apapa Command graced the occasion.
