…as NPA MD, ABUBAKAR DANTSOHO Applaud OMT on their increasing investments on equipments; OMT MD Jacob Gulmann thank Stakeholders for their patronage/support
By Golden Enyi Onyema
Onne Multipurpose Terminal (OMT), subsidiary of Internation al Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI, last Friday 6th December, 2024, commissioned two new mobile harbour cranes, at the Federal Ocean Terminal (FOT), in Onne Port, Rivers State, Nigeria, and opened a state-of-the-art container freight station to offer value-adding services for importers and exporters.
The investment totals USD 25 million and the harbour cranes were imported from Germany, each with capacity of delivering 25 teus of containers per hour and an outreach of 20 containers across. These mobile harbour cranes are the biggest ever deployed in a Nigerian port and will set a new standard by allowing larger vessels than ever to call Nigeria.
Speaking during the commissioning at the quay area of OMT Terminal at FOT, the Managing Director of NPA, Abubakar Dantsoho, who was ably represented by Onne Port Manager, Abdulrahmon Hussain applauded OMT for their investments. He said that in recent years OMT has gone from strength to strength and shown its commitment to Nigeria’s economy.
“This is a big victory for the company, for NPA, and for the Nigerian economy. You see what OMT has done. The two Harbour Cranes will bring in more businesses to the country, more revenue to FG, to investors and to others”, NPA MD, represented by Onne Port Manager Abdulrahmon Hussain stated unequivocally.
He reiterated that the dogged determination of OMT to continue investing in state-of-the-art equipment, to ensure ease of business is in line with the policy drive and vision of NPA Managing Director, Dr ABUBAKAR DANTSOHO, who, on visiting OMT on the previous day, had emphasised continuous port investments to enhance smooth operations of the port and boost FG revenue.
The Onne Port Manager also spoke of the need for collaboration between investors, government agencies, importers, agents and other stakeholders or agencies. “I want to thank OMT Management again for this bold step in increasing your investment capacity in the Maritime/Blue Economy”, NPA MD maintained. He said with this kind of investment, if emulated by other operators, that Nigeria economy will boom, and become a maritime hub in the Sub – African region.
Earlier, the Managing Director of Onne Multi Purpose Terminal, Mr Jacob Gulmann thanked NPA for its pro-active and strong leadership in developing the blue economy and the role of Nigeria Customs, NDLEA, Agents, Importers, Communities and other stakeholders for their contributions to the shipping industry.
Mr Gulmann particularly thanked OMT shipping line customers MSC and PIL and Nigeria’s end-customers (the importers and exporters) and agents for their show of support and patronage. “Without you, none of us would be in business. So, we wish to say a big “thank you” to all of you”.
The MD said the introduction of the new cranes for OMT operations is a major milestone: “These cranes are the biggest mobile harbour cranes operating across Nigerian ports and they will allow our customers MSC and PIL to bring in the largest vessels to call Nigeria”.
In their separate speeches, Mike Ebeatu Association of Nigerian Licences Customs Agents (ANLCA) Chairman, Onne Sea Port Chapter, thanked OMT for its continuous investments: “the right equipment will improve vessel dwell time and check-mate demurrage”, Ebeatu stated.
Chief Commercial Officer for Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) Udi Goldberg, and Chief Commercial Officer for Pacific International Lines (PIL) Olawunmi Akinyemi, both complimented OMT on the large-scale investments in equipment and warehousing which they see as another indicator of ICTSI commitment to their customers.
C. C Nwokorie, Custom D/C, Admin, who represented Customs Area 11 Controller, Onne Seaport, Mohammed Babandede, said Customs are happy with OMT, for procuring 2 additional harbour cranes. “We are not surprise. What we are seeing here today is an organization – OMT – that decides to be serious and committed to address operational challenges. You did it, not only for your benefit, but for the benefit of all Nigerians “, Customs Controller, Babandede stated.
The high point of the event was cutting of tape, for the commissioning of the 2 Harbour Cranes at OMT terminal, FOT, ONNE Port. NPA Managing Director, ably represented by Onne Port Manager, Abdulrahmon Hussain cut the tape, flagged by other dignitaries.
Also, the warehouse built and completed for stacking and storing of materials by OMT was commissioned by Customs Area 11 Controller, Mohammed Babandede, who was ably represented by D/C Admin, C. C Nwokorie.
Among dignitories that attended includes Ports Authority Police DPO, @ Onne Port, prominent Bonded Warehouse Chief Executives, including Kingso, Godify etc.
In an interview with Chief Odigbo Blais Chigozie, CEO of Great Focus, congratulated OMT on their two additional acquired Harbour Cranes.
