APM TERMINALS AND THE PORTS

 Seriki Adinoyi argues that the controversy over the planned investment in the nation’s ports is unnecessary

There have been unnecessary controversy over plans by APM Terminals to invest $600 million to expand existing port infrastructure to accommodate more container shipping services in Nigerian ports as disclosed by the special adviser to the president on media and publicity, Ajuri Ngalale. This was brewed by the reports that A.P Moller-Maersk has denied the investment commitment with the federal government.

But available evidences are clear on the matter as multiple reports have revealed that the global giant, Maerks actually made the commitment, which they are well able to fulfil.

The Danish shipping company had said it has a plan to invest $500 million into the nation’s economy through the maritime sector in the coming years.

A statement titled, ‘Our Vision for Nigerian Ports and Growth’, by the chief executive officer, APM Terminals, Keith Svendsen available in the public domain clearly states that the company has developed plans to undertake necessary terminal upgrade investments in Apapa to give access to vessels with deep draft and requiring large ship-to-shore cranes.

Svendsen had said in the statement that the company had the investment discussion with President Bola Tinubu in February and in April, saying they have intensified talks with the administration and the port authorities to make the plans concrete.

According to him, “At APM Terminals, we believe strongly in the future prospects for the Nigerian economy, and the long-term opportunities that the current economic reforms and invitation for international investments will generate. At Onne, we are concluding a USD115m upgrade project to ensure the terminal has sufficient capacity and capabilities to service the south/eastern Nigeria market and the growth expected in coming years, while the Apapa port continues to offer a unique access to Nigerian importers and exporters to international markets through not just road, but also rail and waterways, by means of barges.

“Having been present there for close to two decades, we believe that Lagos, as the main port, needs further investments to cater for increasing trade volumes and to be able to attract large container vessels. While greenfield terminals like Lekki and later on Badagry will support economic growth in the long run, the more urgent requirement is in our view to upgrade the existing port infrastructure to ensure road, rail and barge networks can connect directly to mainline shipping.

“We have developed plans to undertake the necessary terminal upgrade investments in Apapa to give access to vessels with deep draft and requiring large ship-to-shore cranes. We seek to do this under a long-term agreement with the government to support our ambition to continuously improve the import and especially export opportunities for the country, creating jobs and diversifying opportunities locally.

“As we are still not at the finish line, we have intensified talks with the administration and port authority to make these plans concrete and I’m pleased with the significant progress made towards implementation. That is why I earlier this year publicly talked about the proposal to invest more than USD 500 million that we have discussed with the President Tinubu both in February, and which we further elaborated in late April. It should go hand-in-hand with a long-term partnership.

“For us in APM Terminals, it is important that we not only operate highly efficient terminals, but also that we play a role contributing to the development of the local communities and bring in opportunities for growth and new prospects for Nigerians.”

Svendsen added that the terminal believed in a long-term opportunities and investment in the nation’s economy, saying Nigeria is a key market in Africa to the company.

“To APM Terminals, Nigeria is a key market in Africa and we are proud of the central role we play enabling containerized trade between the country and the rest of the world. A.P. Moller-Maersk has been present in Nigeria for more than 35 years and our vessels have been serving the country essentially since Independence.

“Today, our two container terminals in Lagos and Onne handle about half of the containers going in and out of Nigeria, and our vessels transport close to a third. APM Terminals have been operating in Nigeria since 2006 and have invested more than $600 million during this period in equipment, including trucks and container cranes as well as in advanced operational controls, digital interfaces, and extensive training of employees to provide customers with a fully modern and safe experience.

“We employ about 2,500 people directly (99% Nigerians) and indirectly create employment for about 65,000 according to a recent socio-economic study.”

His statement is further strengthened by his earlier visit to the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite in February, which was captured on video, where he reaffirmed Maersk’s commitment to investing more in Nigeria.

In the video, the Maersk Terminals CEO clearly outlined plans to allocate an initial $100 million, with an additional “Half-Billion dollars” ($500m) earmarked for port investment in Lagos, Nigeria.

The Riyadh meeting between President Tinubu and the Maersk Chairman, which Ngalale only confirmed was another opportunity seized to re-establish Maersk’s expanding port investment interest in Nigeria.

Nigerians should therefore rather be concerned and indeed be hopeful the substantial investments, championed and supported by President Tinubu’s administration, have the potential to generate employment opportunities for the growing population of the country.

Adinoyi writes from Jos, Plateau State