By Busola Aro

L-R: Abubakar Dantsoho, NPA MD, and Abdul Samad Rabiu, chairman of BUA Grop

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has commenced the reconstruction of six berths at the Rivers Port in Port Harcourt as part of efforts to expand cargo handling capacity at the eastern port.

Speaking on Thursday during a visit by Abdul Samad Rabiu, chairman of BUA Group, to the NPA headquarters in Lagos, Abubakar Dantsoho, managing director (MD) of the authority, said the rehabilitation coincides with an $85 million expansion of BUA Ports and Terminals in Port Harcourt.

Dantsoho said the investment is expected to increase cargo throughput and boost revenue generation at the port.

He said the authority expects cargo volumes to rise by between 13 and 14 percent when the project is completed.

“On a normal day, 16 percent is expected anywhere in the world in the port industry,” Dantsoho said.

“So with this kind of development, I’m sure we can get like 13-14 per cent, which is a very fantastic thing to happen.”

The NPA boss said the authority is working with private investors to strengthen operations at eastern ports and improve their competitiveness.

According to him, increased private sector investment would translate into higher cargo volumes, increased trade and greater revenue for the country.

On his part, Rabiu said BUA is investing about $85 million to expand its terminal in Port Harcourt, a project expected to provide about 600 metres of quay frontage.

He said the expansion is aimed at supporting BUA Foods’ planned increase in raw material imports, which are projected to exceed two million tonnes annually after the company’s ongoing expansion programme is completed next year.

“By the time we are done with the expansion, next year, we’ll be having over two million tonnes of products being imported as raw materials to Port Harcourt, and for that we need a terminal, we need a facility,” Rabiu said.

The businessman added that the terminal expansion would increase the company’s cargo-handling capacity and support its growing operations in the food business.

Source: TheCable