One of the nation's ports terminal operators, APM Terminals has said that it has invested N11.6 billion ($100 million) at the Container Terminals, Apapa, Lagos, promising more investments in the coming years.
Group Chief Executive Officer of the AP Moller-Maersk Group, Mr. Nils Andersen, disclosed his during his recent visit to one of the group's subsidiaries APM Terminals Ltd, operating in the country.
Accompanied by the Board Chairman of the company and former Head of State, Chief Ernest Shonekan, the Maersk's Group CEO was conducted round the Terminal facility by the Managing Director, Mr. Michael Lund Hansen.
Speaking later with journalists, Andersen expressed satisfaction with the level of progress made in building a world class container port facility in Lagos.
"It is fascinating to see the progress that has been achieved within a short time. The yard is being cleared, productivity has gone up, no ships are waiting and throughput is increasing and all of these are positive", Andersen stated.
On measures to enhance operations at the Terminal, he said: "it is important for us to ensure that we continue to give good customer service which is already happening".
"We are investing huge funds to put big cranes at the quay side to enhance cargo delivery and get productivity up further.
"Don't forget that before we took over this terminal, ships were waiting for about 30 to 45 days, discharge time was very long and productivity was quite on the low side but all of that is changing fast to give way to a more effective and functional terminal", he stated.
Speaking on training and development of the company's workforce, Andersen said: "we are recruiting people from here in Nigeria into our global education scheme; at the moment we have Nigerians working in other countries, for instance in China being educated and hopefully they will come back to work here or go elsewhere within the organisation".
He disclosed that a Nigerian employee of the group emerged among the top graduates of Maersk Line's international education scheme, adding that Nigerian employees of the group are dedicated and well motivated.
Chairman of the APM Terminals, Chief Ernest Shonekan said the group will continue to invest massively to contribute its own quota in strengthening the Nigerian economy.
"APM Terminals has operated in this port for only 18 months and you can see how much progress has been made", the former Head of State said.