Ports & Cargo is efficient on barge transfer – Olugbade * Says Company invests billions of naira in new equipment
Ports & Cargo terminal is efficient on barge transfer – Olugbade
* Says Company invests billions of naira in new equipment
(By Udeme Clement):
The Executive Director, Administration, Ports & Cargo Handling Services Limited (PCHS), operator of the Terminal C, TinCan Island Port, Lagos, Captain Ibraheem Olugbade, has debunked news of inefficiency of the terminal in its barge operations.
Recall that many terminal operators have adopted barge as an alternative option for cargo transfer in view of the deplorable access roads making transfer through roads extremely difficult.
According to Olugbade, “Ports & Cargo terminal is number one in handling of barges at TinCan Island Port, going by the volume of cargoes, as well as investment made in cargo handling equipment.
He emphasised, “It is not right for the terminal to be accused of not doing well in barge operations.
“The terminal handles an average of 800 TEUs through the barge on a monthly basis, while its dwelling time is just few days. We have invested in barges and some new equipment to guarantee improvement in our operations.”
He pointed out, “Due to reliable and efficient barge operations at our terminal, the empty and export containers of MSC from other terminals often find their way to Ports & Cargo terminal.
“The major challenge is that not much is happening in terms of cargo transfer through roads. The roads are not accessible. The congestion is unbearable. All the adjoining roads and streets around the ports are blocked.
” Trucks stay for weeks just to access the terminals. Even those loading in the terminal find it difficult to exit. Ports and Cargo can’t be blamed for this.”
Being a solution-driven business, the parent company of PCHS, SIFAX Group, invested billions of naira in a new facility at Ijora, Lagos, in order to decongest the ever-busy Lagos port complex.
Giving more explanation on port automation, Olugbade said, “the company is in the test phase of the process and would launch its online payment platform by January 2021.
He pledged readiness of the terminal, as well as its parent company, SIFAX Group in finding a lasting solution to logistics problem bedeviling the sector, adding that speedy completion of the on-going reconstruction of the access roads will bring relief to all port users