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APM Terminals invests N184bn in Apapa port, commisions new cranes

The leading global terminal operator, APM Terminals, has invested N184billion (about $438million) on infrastructure development, information technology upgrades and modern cargo handling equipment among others at Apapa port.

In furtherance to its investment, the company recently acquired two new multimillion dollars state-of-the-art Mobile Harbor Cranes (MHCs) to boost service delivery at the port,  which was commissioned by the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman, in Lagos.

The new cranes were acquired as part of APM Terminals’ additional investment of $80 million (N33.6billion) for the year 2020-2021, bringing the total investment by the company in Apapa since 2006 to $438million (about N184billion), which is the highest by any private terminal operator in the country.

While commending the management of APM Terminals for acquiring the new cranes, Bala Usman said the ports were concessioned by the Federal Government to improve port efficiency and free government resources for other developmental purposes. She said cargo volumes at the port have witnessed a steady rise due to favourable government policies. She said NPA has continued to engage with private terminal operators at the port to rise up to the challenge of the increased cargo traffic.

The engagement with the operators, according to her, is yielding tangible results as evidenced by the commissioning of the two new mobile harbor cranes, among others.

APM Terminals invests N150bn in port infrastructure,  acquires additional cranes the company had invested $358million (N150.36billion) in port infrastructure development, information technology upgrades and modern cargo handling equipment to improve both quayside and landside operations.

Speaking earlier, the Head of Terminals, Africa and Middle East region of APM Terminals, Mr. David Skov, said before now, the company had invested $358million (N150.36billion) in port infrastructure development, information technology upgrades and modern cargo handling equipment to improve both quayside and landside operations.

He said: “The additional investment we are making is to handle the increased trade volumes into Nigeria. Trade in Nigeria is growing due to the many favorable efforts and policies of the Federal government of Nigeria including but not limited to the policy on ease of doing business; stabilization of foreign exchange; closure of the land borders which has increased the use of our sea ports.”

Bode George, others mourn death of 1st Nigerian commercial pilotFirst Nigerian commercial pilot, Kuti dies at 78

Former Deputy National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olabode George has described the death of the first Nigerian Commercial Pilot, Captain Harrison Kuti as a big loss to the nation, and the aviation sector.

Describing the late Kuti who died on March 28,2020,as a hero, and an accomplished Nigerian, George further added that Kuti was a man of distinguished attainments, adding that Nigerians would always remember his meritorious distinction as a pioneering commercial pilot who first flew Boeing 747 to Nigeria.

‘’As a friend to some of us including Major-Gen. Tajudeen Olanrewaju, Mr. M.S Smith,and Gbadebo Dallas, I could recollect that the deceased was an exuberant soul, vibrant, restless, determined, and was always resolved on adventurous largeness. He had a good heart, free spirit, un-detained by malice, friendly to all, given to easy laughter and instinctive camaraderie. He loved life to the fullest. He was a shining go-getter, grasping with the challenges of life with firm, determined steadfastness. He was unruffled by petty things. His focus was always on the big picture of existence.

“He served as best as he could. He has fulfilled his course. He was a genius,’’ George declared.

Captain Harrison Kuti trained as a pilot and attended Acme School of Aeronautics, Texas and Burnside-Ott Aviation School, Miami. His professional and occupational interest span Aviation, Dredging and Marine Engineering and Shipping Marine Operations.

He joined the Nigerian Airways Corporation in 1964 where he worked for about 20 years before retiring in 1983 as a Senior Training Captain. In 1984, he was appointed Managing Director, Zenen Verstoep Company, a Dredging, Civil and Marine Engineering Company, where he led a team of experts to execute various government projects, including the dredging of Lekki axis.

Captain Kuti was until his death the President, Hak Air Limited, an affiliate of GMF, Asia and also Director, Ghana – UK Tours Limited, an Airline company operating Accra-London route. He was a member of the London Chamber of Commerce.

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