The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) has declared indigenous maritime services company, Ocean and Cargo Terminal Services Limited, a SIFAX Group-led consortium, preferred bidder of Terminal B, Warri Old Port.
The event had in attendance the representatives of the National Council for Privatisation (NCP), the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Infrastructural Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), among others.
Business Hilights recalls that the Expression of Interest for the port was advertised in 2014. At the deadline of the submission, of the EOIs, 13 applications were received.
Details from the BPE showed that out of the 13 applications, seven were pre-qualified. Out of these pre-qualified bidders, five were able to submit their technical and financial proposals on 31st January 2017, the deadline for submission of the proposals.
These five companies are Marine Infrastructure Consortium, Bright Ocean Integrated Services Limited, Ecomarine Consortium, Ocean and Cargo Terminal Services Limited and Neon Warri Ports Consortium.
At the end of the evaluation of the technical proposal, Ecomarine Consortium and Ocean and Cargo Terminal Services Limited’s financial bids were qualified for the financial bid opening stage.
However, after the open transparent competitive bid process which is in line with international best practices, Ocean and Cargo Terminal Services Limited was declared the concessionaire of Terminal B, Old Warrri Port. The concession is for a period of 25 years.
In his remarks shortly after the announcement, the Group Executive Vice Chairman of SIFAX Group, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, expressed his appreciation to both the BPE and NCP for the transparent exercise.
While stressing that the concession will enjoy the same midas touch that has become the hallmark of SIFAX Group’s operations, Dr. Afolabi averred that “This is a great news for us as a company to have led this consortium to win this very competitive bid. While we are glad that we have emerged the preferred bidder, we are not unaware of the enormous responsibility this victory has conferred on us”.
“However, it is a familiar territory for us having operated the Terminal C at the Tin Can Island Port, Lagos successfully in the last 12 years.
Continuing, he assured that “We will fall back on the experience and expertise we have developed running the terminal to make a difference at the Warri Port”.
Responding, the Group Managing Director, SIFAX Group, Mr. John Jenkins, observed that the company, which is noted for its adherence to international best practices, will set new standards with the management of the new terminal in Delta State.
