Sifax Group has signed a contract to expand its operations at Ijora Terminal, Lagos. The signing of the contract was sequel to the successful operation of the Ijora Inland Container Terminal in the last 15 months.
The successful execution of the contract would lead to what the conglomerate called “massive expansion of the capacity of the terminal”.
This is coming on the heels of the growing customer base as well as increasing demand by stakeholders for its services.
The conglomerate runs the terminal through one of its subsidiaries, Sifax Shipping ICT Limited. The subsidiary is the operator of the Ijora Inland Container Terminal, Lagos.
Commissioned in October 2020, the terminal was established to alleviate the difficulties experienced by various port users, including truckers, shipping lines, agents and consignees, in accessing the Apapa ports due to the congestion within that area that has defied all solutions. The terminal operates by moving consignments to its facility through barges for onward delivery to customers thereby avoiding traffic congestion.
In a statement made available to Maritime Bits, the conglomerate quoted its Group Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi saying: “It sounds so unbelievable that the off dock terminal is just one year old, going by the impact made in such a short period of time. Our stakeholders have been treated to a whole new experience in cargo clearance. Consignments are moved to the terminal through barges without the hassles of traffic congestion. Goods are cleared in record time while the location of the terminal makes it attractive for truckers. All these have increased our patronage and made the initial terminal capacity inadequate to satisfy the increasing demand.”
According to the statement which was signed by its Corporate Affairs Manager, Mr. Muyiwa Akande, the terminal has consequently acquired adjoining properties to increase its total capacity from the 15,000 square meters at inception to 83,000 square meters. In order to ensure that the terminal operates in line with global standards in terms of infrastructure, the company has contracted China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) Nigeria Limited, a world-class construction company, for the construction of the terminal’s pavement.
Speaking at the contract signing ceremony in Lagos, Managing Director, Sifax Shipping ICT Limited, Mr. Paul Linden, said the strategic nature of the terminal and the need to build a durable infrastructure at the facility necessitated the choice of CCECC.
His words: “CCECC is a notable construction company with a track record of excellent service across the country. Having expanded the size of the terminal, we needed to put the terminal floor in a world-class state and that is the reason CCECC was contracted. Due to the heavy-duty equipment that have been deployed, a super solid concrete surface that can withstand the pressure became necessary. We are excited with this agreement signed with CCECC and we are convinced they will deliver the project within the agreed time.”Linden also stated that some of the future plan of the terminal which has been positioned as a model in terms of technology deployment, modern facilities, excellent customer service and infrastructural development, include the building of a strong quay in readiness to berth feeder vessels, as well as the purchase of more cargo handling equipment and a transit park for trucks using the facility.
