Nigerian companies within the SIFAX Group, a group of companies with investment in Maritime, Aviation, Oil and Gas, Haulage and Logistics, Financial Services and Hospitality, has assured the Government of Liberia (GoL), of its readiness to partner with Liberia aimed at exploring opportunities in the country’s maritime and logistics sector, Womenvoices newspaper has reliably gathered.
The SAFAX Group’s assurance for partnership was given during a facility tour of Ports and Cargo Handling Services Limited; the flagship maritime subsidiary of SIFAX Group and SIFAX Inland Container Terminal, Ijora Causeway, Lagos, Nigeria, by the management of the National Port Authority (NPA) of Liberia led by Managing Director Bill Twehway.
Executive Director, Ports and Cargo Handling Services Limited, Captain Ibraheem Olugbade, while welcoming the Liberian delegation to Nigeria, noted that SIFAX Group is ready to share its wealth of experience in the management of port facilities.
“In realization of our Pan-African dream, we are seeking to expand our operations into various African countries,” Captain Olugbade said.
He disclosed that as a Group, his firms have a rich pedigree in port terminal management and logistics, indicating, “Since the take-over of the Terminal C of the Tin Can Island Port in 2006, we have invested heavily in the acquisition of equipment and skilled human capital. This has resulted in a great improvement in our service delivery.”
He added: “We also recently acquired over 10 acres of land on which SIFAX ICT is sited at Ijora. Our plan is to make sure vessels berth at the Ijora terminal. This speaks a great deal about our commitment to improving the country’s maritime industry.”
For his part, NPA Managing Director, Twehway expressed satisfaction with the quality of equipment and facilities at the two terminals, stating, “We are happy with what we have seen here today. We want to grow our ports in Liberia and we have no doubt that SIFAX Group is capable based on the equipment and facilities in the terminal as well as their record of performance.”
He continued: “We will invite the SIFAX Group management to Liberia in order to have a first-hand assessment of our terminal so they can see areas where we can improve and where investments will be made.”