Commend NPA/INTELS facilities at Terminals
A special delegation from Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority has ended a one day visit, to Onne Port, even as they commended Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Intels Logistics Services over their impressive facilities at their terminals.
The two major Terminals are: Federal Ocean Terminal (FOT) and Federal Lighter Terminal (FLT) in Onne Rivers State, Nigeria. The delegation was led by Captain Ebenezer Afadzi – Director of Port of Tekoradi, Ghana.
In a welcome speech, Onne Port Manager, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho said on behalf of NPA top management and staff, they welcome the delegation of GPHA, to Onne Port. He said that NPA top management is happy for this visit and has accordingly directed that Onne Port accord them all the necessary co – operations needed to make the visit a success.
Onne Port Manager said they are also especially welcome to Rivers State, and Nigeria. He observed that Onne Port is big and accommodates four major ‘Terminal Operators’, who are also concessionaires.
According to Onne Port Manager, the major concessionaires are “Intels Logistics Services, Brawal Oil Services, West African Container Terminal and ICTNL”. He said there are other operators in the oil and gas sector, which includes West African Ventures (WAV), INDORAMA, Dangote etc.
The Port Manager also remarked that Intels contributes positively to the development of the maritime activities in the country. He noted that they enter into concession agreement for 25 years with the company, which allows them to develop the facility, and operate same, though with options to review the agreement at the end of 25 years.
The Port Manager also said that Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), at Bonny constitutes another huge revenue earner for NPA and Federal Government (FG). “Onne Port is the most modern port. Intels came in 1988, while other concessionaire came in from the year 2006”, he observed.
The Port Manager who said he has visited ports in Ghana, commended them for the visit, and wished them well. He assured them that they will get better insight when they arrive Intels Terminal on facility tour.
In his response, Captain Ebenezer Kojo Afadzi, Director Port of Takoradi, Ghana thanks NPA for the honour accorded them. He said that Nigeria is Ghana’s big brother, because they have a lot they share in common.
“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”, Capt. Kojo Afadzi said. He added that their coming is to learn what has made Onne Port thick. He requested to get more clarifications on the operations of service boats and container vessels and how they help NPA to generate more revenue.
Among delegation from Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority who visited NPA Onne Port Complex Administrative building at FLT, includes Peter Ambo – Dediallo Public Affairs Manager Gnana’s Port of Takoradi, Samuel Neto – Kummi, John Atsu Dzere and Fortune Agbodia. Others are Deacon Douglas Oppong, Shirly Braimoh and Divine Tamaklee etc.
The high point of the visit was the presentation of NPA Plague to the leader of the delegation from Ghana Ports and Harbours, Capt. Ebenezer Afadzi.
Meanwhile, Ghana Port and Harbours Authority delegation also in the company of Onne Port Manager and some of his Exco also visited Intels Logistics Services facilities at Federal Ocean Terminal (FOT), Onne Port.
Receiving the Ghanaian delegation, the Managing Director of Intels, Mr Paskal Fiori welcomes the guests from Ghana to Intels Headquarters, 6th Floor Building, FOT, Onne. He noted that Intels is a leading logistics services organization, and observed that they are a major concessionaire. “On behalf of the Board of Intels, I welcome our guests from Ghana. We are leading Logistics organization and we offer ‘one – stop shop services’ to our valued clients”, Intels CEO remarked.
Mr Fiori said they have the best policies on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), to their host communities of Onne and Ogu, including well packaged policies on health, safety and environment, in their areas of operations.
Responding the Leader of Ghana’s delegation to Intels, Capt Ebenezer thanks NPA and Intels for their warm reception. On behalf of Ghana, he thanks Intels for their contributions to the global maritime sector, and describes the facilities as good and amazing.
He added that there is a lot for GHANA to learn from their visit, and express hope for similar facilities to be replicated in Ghana.
In a brief Interview, Mr Peter AMBO – Deediallo, Public Affairs Manager, of Port Of Takoradi, Ghana said they are very grateful to NPA, Intels and Nigeria for giving them access to their port facilities.
The Ghana delegation, together with Onne Port Manager and his team accompanied the visitors on Intels guided tour of their facilities at FOT and FLT Terminals, Onne Port in Rivers State Nigeria.
By Golden Enyi Onyema