In what is seen at part of measures at strengthening cargo handling operations and supporting ongoing efforts to improve port infrastructure of Terminal B at the Rivers Port Complex in Port Harcourt, BUA Group has committed over $65 million to the reconstruction and modernization of the port.
It was gathered that the investment, which will be undertaken through BUA Ports and Terminals Nigeria Limited, the concessionaire managing Terminal B, is expected to increase the terminal’s cargo handling capacity, improve operational efficiency and enhance service delivery for port users.
The investment was announced during a meeting between the Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, and the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), led by its Managing Director /Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho.
Discussions at the meeting focused on ongoing reforms within the port system, infrastructure renewal, and areas where government agencies and private investors could collaborate more closely to improve operations.
Rabiu used the opportunity to commend NPA’s leadership for what he described as its commitment to improving operational efficiency and maintaining regular engagement with stakeholders across the maritime industry.
According to him, NPA’s efforts to improve the operating environment have helped build investor confidence and encouraged companies to commit resources to long-term infrastructure projects.
He noted that stable policies, improved collaboration and consistent reforms remain critical to attracting private capital into sectors that require significant investment, including ports and logistics.
Responding, Dantsoho said the Authority will continue to pursue reforms aimed at making the country’s ports more efficient and attractive to investors.
He said the Authority remained focused on reducing vessel turnaround time, improving cargo evacuation and strengthening operational efficiency across the port system, adding that collaboration with terminal operators would remain central to achieving those objectives.
According to him, BUA’s decision to invest more than $65 million in the reconstruction of Terminal B demonstrates growing private sector confidence in ongoing reforms in the maritime industry.
He described the project as a positive development for the Federal Government’s efforts to modernise critical infrastructure through partnerships with private investors, noting that such investments would contribute to increased trade, support industrialisation and unlock more opportunities within Nigeria’s marine and blue economy.
“The NPA will continue to provide an enabling environment that encourages further investments capable of improving service delivery across the country’s ports,” Dantsoho said.
Source: The Nation online
