The SIFAX Group of companies, owners of Ports and Cargo Terminals at Apapa ports yesterday marked the first official call of the MNM Africa Shipping Line at the Ports and Cargo terminals in Apapa, Lagos.
The arrival of the vessel named MV SCL Angela which has the capacity to accommodate about 900 TEUs excluding general cargoes was heralded into the terminal and by extension into the with pumps and pageantry.
Speaking at the occasion, the Executive Director, SIFAX Group, Dr. Phil Ofulue recalled that the discussions that gave birth to the first call of the vessel to the terminal started several months and was made possible by the doggedness of the Chairman of the Group, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi.
Ofulue disclosed that the vessel was arranged to ensure that African Shippers and indeed all other shipper across the world had easy access, regular access as well as intensive access to a vessel that could meet their need and yearnings for a hitch-free and smooth shipment of cargoes on behalf of their customers especially in Nigeria and around the West Coast.
According to him,” Those who have been following this up in the media should know what I talking about MNM. It is a vessel that we are trying to arrange and actually have arrange and is right in our front here today to ensure that African Shippers and all other shippers all over the world but especially that African Shippers have easy access, regular access and intensive access to a vessel that can meet their need and yearnings for a hitch-free and smooth shipment of cargoes on behalf of their various customers especially here in Nigeria and around the West Coast.
“In 2006, 10th May to be precise, we control of this terminal that used to be terminal C in the then old NPA and since the 10th of May, 2006, it has been a very interesting journey which has brought us to this day at the that we are.
“We are indeed very happy that discussions that gave birth to this event today started several months ago and today it is now a reality”.
He thanked the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and indeed all other government agencies for giving their approval that made the arrival of the vessel a success.
“We also want to thank our friends, the stakeholders, NIMASA, NPA, Shippers’ Council, everybody, without you, we cannot do this all alone. It is your approval; the vessel cannot be standing in front of us here without the approval of the Shippers’ Council, without NIMASA, without NPA, without the Customs, without the port health and without all the government agencies and the federal government’s interest and approval.
“And I can assure you right now that this big and peaceful vessel standing in front of us here is not standing here illegally but was duly approved by all concerned”, he said.
On his part, the General Manager Shipping, SIFAX Group, Mr. Henry Ajo explained that the acronym MNM stands for Morocco, Nigeria, Mauritania representing the three core African countries that were partnering together to make the venture a reality informing that due to the capital intensive nature of floating a vessel, Mauritania had to withdraw.
Ajo pointed that even with the withdrawal of Mauritania, the other two countries, namely, Morocco and Nigeria had to continue with the MNM since the line had been registered with the name as well as going by the amount of money that had been committed into the project.
He further said that the vessel had the capacity to take 900 TEUs excluding general cargoes informing that SIFAX Group is the sole agent of the shipping line in the West Africa.
In their goodwill message, Mrs. C.A Ifeora who spoke on behalf of the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Mr. Hassan Bello and the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi stated the two agencies had never underestimated the capacity of SIFAX Group adding that SIFAX being an indigenous company had been doing so well especially in their relationship with users of their services.
She pledged the support of the two Chief Executive Officers of the two government agencies to the company so as to ensure that it grows hoping that the vessel was going to encourage export of commodity from Nigeria to other parts of the world as well as boost trade and economy of the country.
Highlight of the event were goodwill messages from both from the public and private sector operators present at the event, the presentation of a plaque to the Captain of the Vessel who was present at the occasion, Capt. Rohan Catalin and a toast to the arrival of the vessel to Nigeria among others.
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