Business
Onne OMT Port Acquires 2 Cranes For Container Haulage
Onne Multipurpose Terminal (OMT), a subsidiary of International Container Terminal Services Inc (ICTSI), has commissioned two new mobile harbour cranes at the Federal Ocean Terminal (FOT), in Onne, Rivers State.
The two cranes are part of the state-of-the-art container freight haulage to offer value-added services for importers and exporters.
The investment totals $25 million, with the harbour cranes being imported from Germany, each with capacity of delivering 25 tons of containers per hour and an outreach of 20 containers across.
These mobile harbour cranes are the biggest ever deployed in a Nigerian port and will set a new standard by allowing larger vessels than ever to call Nigeria.
Speaking during the commissioning at the quay area of OMT Terminal at FOT, the Managing Director of Nigeria Port Authority (NPA), Abubakar Dantsoho, represented by the Onne Port Manager, Abdulrahmon Hussain, commended OMT for their investments.
He noted that in recent years OMT has improved tremendously and shown its commitment to improve Nigeria’s economy.
“This is a big victory for the company, for NPA, and for the Nigerian economy. You see what OMT has done. The two Harbour Cranes will bring in more businesses to the country, more revenue to FG, to investors and to others”, Hussain stated.
He said the dogged determination of OMT to continue investing in state-of-the-art equipment, to ensure ease of business, is in line with the policy drive and vision of NPA Managing Director, Dantsoho who, on visiting OMT, had emphasised continuous port investments to enhance smooth operations of the port and boost FG revenue.
The Onne Port Manager also spoke on the need for collaboration between investors, government agencies, importers, agents and other stakeholders or agencies.
“I want to thank OMT Management again for this bold step in increasing your investment capacity in the Maritime/Blue Economy”, he said.
According to him, with this kind of investment, if emulated by other operators, Nigeria’s economy will boom, and become a maritime hub in the Sub-African region.
Earlier, the Managing Director of Onne Multi Purpose Terminal, Mr. Jacob Gulmann, thanked NPA for its pro-active and strong leadership in developing the blue economy and the role of Nigeria Customs, NDLEA, Agents, Importers, Communities and other stakeholders for their contributions to the shipping industry.
He particularly thanked OMT shipping line customers, MSC and PIL, Nigeria’s end-customers (the importers and exporters), and agents for their show of support and patronage saying, “Without you, none of us would be in business. So, we wish to say a big thank you to all of you”.
The MD said the introduction of the new cranes for OMT operations is a major milestone: “these cranes are the biggest mobile harbour cranes operating across Nigerian ports and they will allow our customers, MSC and PIL, to bring in the largest vessels to call Nigeria”.
In their separate speeches, Mike Ebeatu of Association of Nigerian Licences Customs Agents (ANLCA), Chairman, Onne Sea Port Chapter, thanked OMT for its continuous investments: “the right equipment will improve vessel dwell time and check-mate demurrage”.
Chief Commercial Officer for Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), Udi Goldberg, and Chief Commercial Officer for Pacific International Lines (PIL), Olawunmi Akinyemi, both complimented OMT on the large-scale investments in equipment and warehousing which they see as another indicator of ICTSI’s commitment to their customers.
Customs Deputy Controller of Admin, represented by Customs Area 11 Controller, Onne Seaport, Mohammed Babandede, said Customs are happy with OMT, for procuring 2 additional harbour cranes.
“We are not surprised. What we are seeing here today is an organization – OMT – that decides to be serious and committed to addressing operational challenges. You did it, not only for your benefit, but for the benefit of all Nigerians “, Customs Controller, Babandede stated.
Also, a warehouse built and completed for stacking and storing of materials by OMT was commissioned by Customs Area 11 Controller, Mohammed Babandede, who was represented by Deputy Controller Admin, C. C Nwokorie.
Among dignitaries that attended the event were Ports Authority Police DPO, Onne Port, prominent Bonded Warehouse Chief Executives, including Kingso, Godify.
In an interview, Chief Odigbo Blais Chigozie, CEO of Great Focus, congratulated OMT on the two acquired harbour Cranes.
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Governorship candidate of The National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Rivers State, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, has called on politicians and other stakeholders in the state not to make the governorship seat of Rivers State an ethnic agenda.
Chief Lulu-Briggs, who said this in an interview with newsmen shortly after arrival from Abuja, also blamed the alleged unenviable position of Rivers State among the comity of states in the country on the political class.
He said stakeholders must avoid a situation where the state would be plunged into another round of political crisis, adding that given the ethnic and cultural diversity of the state, it was necessary to give everyone a sense of inclusion by ensuring that the governorship seat rotates among the ethnic nationalities.
The NDC governorship flag bearer condemned the alleged intimidation of the electorate, noting that the situation has underdeveloped the state.
He said, if elected, his administration would provide the democratic dividends that will improve the lives of the people.
In a similar development, the state chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Rivers State, Mr Success Jack, says his party will run an all inclusive government in the state.
Mr Jack, who spoke to newsmen in Port Harcourt, promised that an NDC controlled government will always consult with the people before taking any decisions.
According to him, based on his party’s ideology of “Solid, Strong Accommodating”, the NDC offers hope to the hopeless and the downtrodden.
“We assure you that we are fully ready. Our party is a platform that is open to everybody whether APC or PDP, we offer hope. Our ideology is Solid, Strong, Accommodating. The manifesto of our party is anchored on the ideology of providing genuine service to the people”.
Mr Jack also stressed that the policies of an NDC government would be crafted in such a way and manner that serves the primary and secondary interests of the people.
“This is not what you find in other parties.What you find in other parties is utmost impunity, absolute impunity, where the people are not included, they are not consulted and so their opinion does not count, they don’t know what government wants to do because they didn’t contribute to what government wants to do.
“That’s not the case here. We listen to the people, even provide the way forward, (and) the details for the way forward because we provide the framework as a government but the people will provide the details because they are the ones that wear the shoes and they know where it pinches them”, he said.
By: John Bibor
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding its infrastructures and training to tackle emerging security threats
Navy also said the service is aimed at strengthening operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas stated this during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers, as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, Abbas said the projects reflected significant progress made by the Navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the Navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others facilities include the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base”, he said.
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The Naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the Navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
NAVTRAC also distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
By: CHINEDU WOSU
Rivers State Governor, Sir. Siminalayi Fubara says Airport road will soon be accessible only for Airport activities in the state.
The Governor said this recently while inspecting the level l0of construction work on the Igwuruta By-Pass Road project in Ikwerre Local Government Area.
The Governor who expressed optimism over the progress of work on the project, saying the By-pass road will reduced unrelated activities on the Airport area in the state.
Governor Fubara explained that the By-pass road was designed in collaboration with the host community to address accessibility concerns while preserving the operational integrity of the airport corridor.
“So, we liaised with the community and created this By-pass,” he stated.
The governor further clarified the objective of the road project, saying it would provide the residents with a dedicated access route separate from the airport operations.
“The purpose of the By-pass is so needful that the community can have this as their own way, their own entrance, while the airport will remain only for airport activity once these roads are completed,” he said.
Providing an update on the pace of work, Fubara disclosed that the project had already achieved a major milestone in execution.
“So far, they’ve done about 65% of the job,” the governor announced,
revealing that contractors handling the project had assured the state government of timely delivery.
He also expressed confidence that the bypass would be completed before October.
“They’re also promising that before October, the total project will be delivered,” he added.
By: Enoch Epelle
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