Lagos port complex
John Iwori
One of the concessionaires in the nation’s seaports, ENL Consortium Limited, has projected a cargo throughput of 4.5 million tonnes in its area of operation this year.
The firm, which is one of the leading indigenous port operators and concessionaire of Terminals C and D, Lagos Port Complex (LPC), Apapa, said the 2012 projected cargo volume represents an eight per cent increase over the 4.2 million tonnes handled at the two terminals last year.
The General Manager of the company, Mr. Mark Walsh, disclosed this in a chat with journalists in Lagos.
“We continually improve on our efficiency at the terminal and this is a direct result of the improvement we have brought to bear on port operation since 2006 when we took over the terminals”, he said.
He said that cargo volume at the general cargo terminal has more than doubled in the last six years, from 1.8 million tonnes in 2006 to 4.5 million tonnes projected in 2012. He said the increased efficiency at ENL terminals was a direct outcome of investments in equipment, technology, manpower and infrastructures made by the company.
“So far till 2011 we have invested over N4.3 billion on bringing the terminal to the level it is at present”, Walsh stated. He revealed that the company took over 62 units of equipment out of which only three were functional in 2006.
He however expressed joy that the firm has now acquired more equipment bringing total number of functional plants at the terminal to 108. According to him, this equipment includes Hyster, Kalmar and other modern cargo handlers.
“ENL Consortium offers complete discharging services on all essential commodities coming into Nigeria. With increased efficiencies and coordination in operation from hatch to hook to warehouse, we have been able to reduce the time spent in port by vessels, thus reducing demurrage that has plagued the ports in Nigeria in the past”, he said.
He explained upon takeover of cargo handling operation at Terminals C and D of the LPC, Apapa in 2006, the company immediately embarked on “a massive development plan” worth over $20 million.
These include fencing an area of approximately 3 kilometres, demolition of derelict sheds to provide stacking space for container handling, new initiatives regarding access control for vehicles and parking facilities to reduce congestion on the quay.
According to Walsh, “the company also introduced security to take control of access to the premises thus ensuring the safety of personnel, the general public doing legitimate business as well as minimising losses previously incurred as a result of the notorious ‘wharf rat’ problem. We handle all types of cargo including cement, wheat, flour, fish, iron rods, among several other cargoes.”