Adedapo Adesanya
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Ghanaian Ports and Harbours Authority has extended a hand of collaboration to Nigeria for the growth of its maritime and shipping sector.
This was disclosed by the Director, Port of Takoradi, Ghana, Captain Ebenezer Kojo Afadzi, when he led a special delegation from Ghana on a one-day visit to Onne seaport in Rivers State.
Captain Afadzi said the visit was to learn the ropes about the success of the Onne Port and sought clarifications on the operations of service boats and container vessels and how it helped the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to generate more revenue.
The delegation, which toured the Federal Ocean Terminal and Federal Lighter Terminal in Onne, commended the management of Onne Ports for dedicated commitment to the growth of ports, in line with the best global standards.
The Ghanaian delegation leader also wooed Integrated Logistics Services (Intels) to Ghana, while taking notes of the company’s impressive facilities and terminals at the Onne seaport.
He commended Intels for their contributions to the global maritime sector and pointedly expressed hope for similar facilities to be replicated in Ghanaian ports.
“We are here because Nigeria is our big brother. We need help from Nigeria to grow our maritime and shipping sector.
“And we are here to learn a lot from your port and to see things for ourselves in Onne Port,” Captain Afadzi said.
Responding, Onne Port Manager, Mr Abubakar Dantsoho, explained that Onne Port accommodates four major terminal operators who are also concessionaires, and identified them as the Intels Logistics Services, Brawal Oil Services, West African Container Terminal and ICTNL.
Mr Dantsoho also said there were other operators in the oil and gas sector, which includes the West African Ventures (WAV); INDORAMA; Dangote among others.
He added that Intels contributes positively to the development of maritime activities in the country, noting that the NPA has a 25 years concession agreement with Intels, which allows the company to develop and operate the facility, subject to review at the end of the 25 years.
For his part, the Managing Director of Intels, Mr Pascal Fiori, said the firm remains the leading logistics services organization, which offers one-stop-shop services to its clients, being a major concessionaire.
