July 03, (THEWILL) – A 190ft long general cargo vessel has berthed at the Calabar Port in Cross River State with 204 trucks and 22 cubic meters of general cargo.
The cargo, MV Value Tyler, set sail from Singapore and arrived Calabar Port at about 19:00 hours on Thursday evening.
Speaking on the ground breaking feat, Festus Olumati, the Port Manager, said the berthing of MV Value Tyler is a record breaking feat by the port.
Olumati said that MV Value Tyler’s arrival in Calabar Port was a breakthrough and it underscored the viability of the port and attributed the feat to the support given to it by the Managing Director of the NPA, Mohammed Bello Koko.
He said, “The significance of the berthing of this vessel is to tell the world that the Calabar Port is not dead but active. Also that the rumour going on that nothing is happening in Calabar Port is completely fake.
“The length of this vessel is 190 feet which has never happened in recent time in Calabar Port the cargo on board is 204 trucks, 22 cubic meters of general cargo especially pipes.
“I was sent to Calabar by the Managing Director (Mohammed Bello-Koko) to revive the port and source for customers. In the managing director’s wisdom, he has graciously given us equipment, materials, everything to go and work.
“He has also given us a pilot cutter, which will be commissioned tomorrow and we are very happy with him,” he said.
He added that the implication of the berthing of MV Value Tyler in the port is that the vessel would generate revenue and create employment.
He said the concessionaire, ECO Marine, is doing a lot to bring shipping lines to the terminal and the port has started receiving vessels on a monthly basis.
On his part, Engr. Edward Akpan, the general manager of ECM Terminals thanked the NPA management for its support to ensure the Calabar Port thrives.
He said the general cargo vessel was meant for one of its clients who sees the Calabar Port as a preferred terminal based on service delivery.
“With the support of the NPA in every angle, we will make the Calabar Port the home for anyone that wants to come,” he said.
About the Author
THEWILL Correspondent, Aniekan Bassey has over six years experience that spans across several fields in print journalism including development communication, sexual reproductive and health rights issues, crime, climate change, social justice, business and human interest stories.
