SIFAX Group opens new terminal to ease the burden of freighters in  assessing Lagos ports.

SIFAX Group on Wednesday, opened a new container terminal in Ijora Causeway area of Lagos state, saying it is a response to the difficulties experienced by stakeholders in accessing the Lagos ports.

Group Executive Vice Chairman, SIFAX Group, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, said the company would help to ease the experience of the herculean cargo clearing process and movement from the port.

Represented at the commissioning by Mr. Adekunle Oyinloye, Group Managing Director, SIFAX Group, Dr Afolabi said the new terminal, which would be a model and sits on an 11 acres of land, would leverage on technology and innovations to deliver an unparalleled customer experience as well as cutting-edge inland container services.

His words, “The SIFAX Container Terminal, Ijora, Lagos is our modest response to a major issue in the maritime industry – access to Lagos ports.

“The logistics nightmare in Apapa occasioned by the traffic congestion experienced by port users compelled the group to look for a solution that addresses this seemingly intractable problem. With this terminal, agents, truckers and consignees don’t have to go to the ports before getting their consignments cleared.”

On the unique advantages of the terminal, Afolabi said consignment would be transferred primarily through barges from both Apapa and Tin Can Island ports, adding that the good road network in the area also offers clients faster and efficient cargo clearing.

“Another key advantage of this terminal is that it is IT-driven. The Group has decided to invest in technology to sustain the business to our clients’ satisfaction.” Afolabi further said.

Earlier, in his business presentation, Paul Linden expressed the readiness of the terminal to exceed the expectations of clients through the acquisition of modern cargo equipment and deployment of an experienced and professional workforce backed by the over three-decade experience of SIFAX Group in the maritime industry.

Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman, Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, who was represented by Hon. Onari Brown, Executive Director, Marine and Operations, commended SIFAX Group for its solution-driven mindset and aggressiveness in pursuing the dream of getting the terminal ready for operations in record time. She promised the support and cooperation of the agency in realizing the vision of the new business.

Princess Vicky Haastrup, Executive Vice Chairman, ENL Consortium and Chairman, Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) lauded SIFAX Group for always being at the forefront of innovations in the country’s maritime sector.

High ranking dignitaries such as Oba Fatai Oyeyinka, Ojora of Ijora land; Hakeem Odumosu, Commissioner of Police, Lagos; Adewale Adeyanju, President General, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) and Mohammed Abba Kura, Customs Area Controller, Apapa Command graced the occasion.