President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is scheduled to commission the $115 million upgraded West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) in Onne, Rivers State on Wednesday, September 4, 2024.
In a statement released on Monday, August 26, by its managing director, Mr. Jeethu Jose, WACT said that the terminal has undergone a major renovation starting in 2021.
Jeethu highlighted that the completion of the upgrade represents a pivotal moment and a major advancement in the history of Nigerian ports.
He stated: “We are pleased to announce the successful completion of the upgrade of our terminal at Onne Port. This will be a game-changer for Nigeria and we are thoroughly excited about it.”
He stated that the $115 million investment further strengthens the terminal's confidence in the nation's economy, supporting its mission to improve lives while boosting global trade.
Mr. Jose also highlighted that WACT is Nigeria’s first Greenfield container terminal developed through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), emphasizing its strategic importance in Onne within the Oil and Gas Free Zone.
The managing director of West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) noted that the terminal has become a leading gateway for accessing markets beyond Lagos in Western Nigeria.
He added that it plays a vital role in connecting Eastern Nigeria’s growing economy to global markets.
Mr. Jose also reiterated the terminal’s significance, recalling the historic moment on August 15, 2020, when it received the largest container vessel to berth at any Nigerian port.
The WACT boss said: “On August 15, 2020, WACT made history when it received the largest container vessel ever to berth at any Nigerian port. The vessel, Maersk Stadelhorn, measures 300 metres in length overall and 48.2 metres in beam, with a capacity to carry approximately 10,000 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEU) of containers.”
According to reports, the commissioning ceremony is expected to be a renowned event with hand full of dignitaries in attendance, which includes heads of key government agencies/parastatals such as NIMASA, NPA, NIS, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, the Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA), representatives of shipping companies, freight forwarding associations, importers and exporters; governors and the serving ministers of the federation.
