NPA, APM Capital sign MoU to extend barges to Epe

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The MD NPA, Hadiza Bala Usman (Middle), A.P. Moller Capital Official (APMC), Rotimi
Tewe (left), the Managing Consultant, AKMS Consulting Limited, Amina Oyagbola
(2nd left), Snr. Investment Advisor, A.P. Moller, Flemming Dalgaard
(2nd right), and the Executive Director, Marine & Operations NPA,
Dr. Sokonte H. Davies (right) during the Signing of Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) between the NPA and APMC on the Apapa Gridlock at the NPA Corporate
Headquarters, Lagos

The Management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA)
and the APM Capital has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to extend
the use of barges to evacuating containers from the ports beyond Ikorodu, to
Epe, as part of efforts to finding lasting solution to the Apapa traffic gridlock.

Speaking when she hosted a team from AP Moller Capital
in her office on Wednesday, the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority,
Hadiza Bala Usman, said the problem of Apapa access road persisted because of decade-long
decadence caused by multiplicity of problems.

Usman recalled the fact that NPA had made several
efforts including contributing ₦1.8billion to rehabilitate the road at a time,
as well coming up with Call Up System, which would soon be upgraded to be done electronically.

The MD also declared that the NPA would continue to
consult with stakeholders across all levels, since the provision of
infrastructure is crucial for sustainable ports operations.

Ms Bala Usman further assured that NPA would build on
the synergy that existed with stakeholders and also commended the Minister of Transportation,
the Board of Directors of NPA, and the management of APM Capital.

In his response, the Senior Investment Advisor of APM Capital,
Fleming Dalgaard, assured on the construction of a jetty and truck park to
facilitate the movement of Cargo with barges from the port.

He added that they would provide technical Capital,
Competence experience, financial capacity and other required resources.

Dalgaard commended openness of the management of NPA,
and said that such transparency and
efficiency were part of the quality that excited them to come forward for the
signing of the MOU.

Amongst issues
agreed in the MOU include:

·
The
NPA in realization of the fact that the provision of infrastructure is crucial
for sustainable operation of ports has continued to pursue a programme of
infrastructural investments.

·
The
NPA and APMC entered discussions and have agreed to find a lasting solution to
the traffic situation in and around the ports, there is a need to provide the
level of required infrastructure.

·
APMC
has indicated their interest, technical capacity, competence, experience,
financial capacity and other required resources to execute or cause the project
required resources to execute or cause the project required for the attainment
of item 2 above.

·
The
project that are currently being contemplated include the construction of a
jetty and truck park to facilitate the movement of cargo by barge from the
ports

APMC understands
that some associates investments like construction of truck holding bays maybe
required to support the option in item 4 above.

APMC intends to
commit financial and human resources to further explore these solutions even
though the exact nature of infrastructure to be provided may differ from the
option currently being envisage in the course of further studies and time spent
on the project.

Present on the side of the Management of NPA were the GM
Board Secretary/Legal Services, Eniola Williams, and General Manager Public
Private Partnership Mr. Usoro Usoro, and on the APM Capital side were APMC
Advisor, Amina Oyagbola and Senior Associate Rotimi Tewe.