Lagos – The Managing Director, Ports & Cargo Handling Services Ltd., Alhaji Mohammed Bulangu, said on Tuesday that cargo throughput at the terminal had grown from 5,000 TEUs (containers) inherited 10 years ago to 16,000 TEUs.
Bulangu said this at a news conference in Lagos, marking the 10th anniversary of the terminal.
He said the management had met all the obligations in its Terminal Development/Five-Year Development Plan, regarding infrastructure
development and equipment acquisition.
“Given the fact that the Terminal Development Plan was prepared in 2005, it should not be a surprise that we have not only met but have surpassed the projection stated therein.
“It is about ten years since we took over the operations of Terminal `C’ Tin Can Island Port. The said years have been eventful.
“The first few years were very tough and challenging. Since we took over the terminal on May 11, 2006, we have, however, taken giant steps to improve on our operations by investing heavily on infrastructure and equipment,’’ Bulangu said.
He recalled that the process adopted for the concession of Terminal C was very thorough and in line with international best practices in bidding.
The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Transportation (FMOT) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) under the guidance of the Ports Reform and Concession consultants, CPCS Transcom of Canada, managed the bidding process,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quotes him as saying.
The managing director said that the advertisement for the Expression of Interest (EoI) was placed in December 2003 in the BPE’s website, national and foreign media, as well as the United Nations Development Journal in line with the requirements of the process.
He noted that generally, two methods were adopted for the bid- public bidding and negotiated bidding.
“The bid for Terminal `C’ followed the public bidding method. The summary of the process which was rigorous and very thorough included the following:
“Our Expression of Interest (EOI) was submitted to the BPE in respect of our capability to operate, invest on and manage Terminal `C’.
“On April 8, 2005, BPE issued us Request for Proposal (RFP) and bidding document having been short-listed as a pre-qualified bidder. Technical proposal was submitted on July 8, 2005.
“Evaluation of our Technical Proposal to ensure our competence to manage Terminal C was then carried out by the BPE.
“The competence mentioned herein included our technical, managerial and financial competence to manage the terminal,’’ Bulangu said.
He explained that the BPE’s directed that all bidders that participated as a going concern that were not solely terminal operators, had to register a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) in order to separate their other operations from terminal operations for monitoring purposes.
The managing director said that Sifax Nigeria Ltd., bidded for and won Terminal C incorporated Ports & Cargo Handling Services Ltd., on Dec. 20, 2005.
“Ports & Cargo eventually signed the Lease Agreement with the NPA as the Lessor and the BPE as the Confirming Party,’’ NAN quotes bulangu as saying.
“On taking over of the terminal, we realised that there was a lot of job to be done and many challenges to be surmounted.
“Some of the early challenges included what to do with the numerous NPA staff and dockworkers; the problem of abandoned cargo and equipment; and the cleanliness of the terminal which was very dirty and full of junks.
“The terminal floor was full of grease and oil from old forklifts and other equipment. The major challenge was, however, the problem of equipment.
“All the equipment that we bidded for had either been outrightly stolen or seriously vandalised. Thus, we had to resort to hiring equipment in the early days of the concession, ‘’ he said.
Bulangu said that because there was no perimeter fencing and any feasible gates, all manners of people ranging from hawkers of foods, cigarette, soft drinks, kolanuts and illicit drinks, easily entered and milled around the terminal.
“Faeces and other forms of human wastes filled all the nooks and crannies of the terminal. As there was no control, ‘wharf rats’ had a field day.
“There was a serious security challenge at that time from across the channel. Robbers and thieves from the surrounding villages always came to the terminal with canoes to rob in the terminal.
“As an unusual problem deserves to be tackled through unusual solutions. We resorted to employment of arrow men to ward off the attack through the water.
“This paid off, as the fearless arrow men with their fearful appearance were able to ward off the attacks successfully.
“To sum up, the myriads of challenges on taking over the terminal which needed urgent attention included reinforcement of port ground and holding areas; rehabilitation of quay apron, erection of security fencing and gate houses,’’ the managing director said.
According to him, other challenges were the renovation of mechanical workshop and warehouses, repair of roads, erection of street and high mast lighting, provision of CCTV, provision of borehole and toilets.
He also mentioned the construction of Customs and other government agencies offices, construction of labour offices and canteen,.
Bulangu said the management also degreased the slippery terminal, demolished Shed 4 and acquired cargo handling equipment and generators.
He said that as a result of the huge investment in infrastructure, plants and equipment; Terminal `C’ had witnessed tremendous development and had transformed from the decayed terminal inherited from the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to a modern port comparable to any other ports in the world.
“As a result, efficiency has been increased in port operations. Some of the values we have added to Terminal ‘C’ are hereunder outlined.
“We have greatly improved the security situation in the port. As a result, loss or vandalism of cargo through the activities of “wharf rats” has been reduced to the barest minimum.
“As a result of computerisation of our operations and the provision of terminal operation and tracking system, service delivery has been greatly enhanced.
“Health and safety policies are given serious attention. Apart from provision of health care for staff and their families, a well equipped clinic manned by medical doctors and other qualified personnel is provided in the terminal,’’ he said.
He said, “This is complemented by 2 ambulances.’’
“For illumination of the terminal and to ensure that night shifts are not disrupted, we have deployed high mast lighting system to the terminal.
“To ensure 24-hour supply of light, many high powered generators have been provided.
“Gate-houses have been constructed to enhance the security of the terminal.
“We have constructed an ISPS compliant see-through wire mess fencing for the terminal.
“We have renovated the terminal’s operation buildings, sheds, warehouses and mechanical workshop. The toilets in the buildings have also been renovated,’’ Bulangu said.
He said that the management has also provided radio communicating gadgets to enhance communication and efficient service delivery.
“We have constructed an ultra-modern staff canteen for the staff and dock workers. An imposing and befitting edifice has been provided for the Customs and other government regulatory agencies.
“We have installed digital security gadgets (CCTV camera) in the terminal to enhance its security.
“The surface of the quay and the adjoining open spaces has been cleared of mud and oil spillage.
“We have fully complied with and even exceeded our obligations regarding acquisition of plants and equipment,’’ NAN quotes the managing director as saying.
He said that the management proposed to buy 3 ship-to-shore cranes but bought 6, adding that it proposed to buy 6 Rubber-Tyred Gantries (RTGs) but bought 10.
“Other equipment acquired include 43 terminal tractors, 14 forklifts, 23 reach stackers, heavy-duty generating sets, tractors, among others.
“We have provided fire-fighting equipment and muster points at strategic locations in the terminal. In addition, regular training of staff on fire prevention and curtailment strategies are being done.
“We have a standard warehouse that can house about 8,200 metric tonnes of cargoes.
“With this huge investment that runs into millions of dollars in value, we have succeeded in transforming the terminal into a modern and information technology-driven seaport,’’ he said.
Bulangu commended the Group Executive Vice Chairman of SIFAX Group, Dr Taiwo Afolabi, who had demonstrated a knack for value adding in all his business endeavourS.
According to him, his motivation, vision and passion are some of the foundation on which the success of this company is built.
“Our business partners – shipping lines, agents, freight forwarders, are the backbone of our business and we commend their contributions to our success.
“Kudos also goes to the staff, both past and present, who have laboured hard to grow this company to this enviable height. We value your contributions,’’ he said.
NAN reports that Ports & Cargo Handling Services Ltd. took over the management of Terminal ‘C’ Tin Can Island Port, Tin Can, Lagos, as a concessionaire on May 11, 2006, after signing of concession agreement with NPA and the Bureau of Public Enterprises.
Prior to this time, the terminal and indeed ports in Nigeria were being managed by the Nigerian Ports Authority.
The concession idea which was initiated in 2003 by the Federal Government, was an attempt to improve efficiency at the port through the landlord port model.
By this model, certain aspects of ports operations were concessioned to private operators.
By this exercise, a total of 26 terminals were concessioned to 20 terminal operators. (NAN)