Taiwo Afolabi’s Ports & Cargo Repackages Seaport Operations With Nmulti Billion Investment

…embarks on capital project to transform it world standard

Mr Taiwo Afolabi, the brain behind celebrated company Sifax is set to record another milestone.

Investigation by societynowng.com revealed this development is coming on the platform of Ports & Cargo- a member of the Sifax Group.

Sources confirmed that initiatives are on to transform the sphere of operation of Ports & Cargo, the nation’s seaport terminal to a world class status.

‘A model of it’s own in the comity of seaport operators’ a source divulged.

‘The idea is to create a setting aimed at making doing business at the terminal a seamless operation and in very conducive environment’ another source provided an insight.

And to achieve this the management of Mr Afolabi’s enterprise has embarked on a series of capital projects.

The company has placed the order for ten (10 NOS) Rubber Tyred Gantry (RTG).

This was made to a finish outfit (KONECRANE) last year.

The cost implication of this is put at ‘billions of naira’

Insiders interpret this move to be geared towards ensuring ‘minimal human interference in container handling in the port and, to accelerate effectiveness and efficiency of container operation/delivery in the terminal’.

Aside Mr Afolabi and his crew are said to just complete a perimeter fencing valued at N165million.

According to industry watchers ‘ the fencing meets international standard- even surpasses the PICCOMS requirement’

This project- those conversant with the place confirm- ‘ provides a complete see through round the large expanse of the whole terminal and, at the same time prevents access to unauthorised persons, thereby limiting criminal activities to the barest minimum’

Further investigation by societynowng.com revealed that the company has also increased the Yard Capacity from 9, 500 teus to 14, 000 teus.

This after demolition of the facility known as warehouse “B” (As contained in the Concession Agreement).

The gain of this happenstance is labelled an increase in the holding capacity of the yard, thereby reducing the chances of congestion in the terminal.

More digs by societynowng.com unravelled the fact that a massive re-surfacing of the terminal that has gulped all of N2.5billion in the last 6months has been undertaken- and work is still on.

Sources further revealed that to complement all these efforts Mr Afolabi’s company has signed an MOU with SDMO to provide two (2NOS.) 1,250 KVA generating sets with automatic control panel to boost the existing power generation at the cost of almost 800,000 euros.

Insiders revealed these generating sets are expected to be delivered on the 23rd of June, 2012.

Sources also revealed the order for ten RTGs ( expected to be delivered before the end of the year) is meant to complement the recent acquisition of five new Reach Stackers (5 NOS.) and the anticipated delivery of additional two mobile cranes (2 NOS.) to support the four (4 NOS.) in use since year 2007.

On the spot assessment indicate an on going transformation that is fast turning a pleasant shock for stake holders.

Sifax New Equipments