Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, SIFAX Group, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi

FRANCIS EZEM
Barring any last minute change in the current scheme of things, the Bayelsa State Government is putting finishing touches to plans to collaborate with SIFAX Group with a view to developing and harnessing the abundant maritime and aviation potential in the state.
This is part of the outcomes of a recent working visit by top management team of the Bayelsa Investment Promotion Agency BIPA led by the Director General of the agency, Patience Ranami Abah, and Managing Director of Bayelsa Properties & Investment Company, Godwin Konyefa to the SIFAX Group.
As part of the visit, the team toured facilities of the Group’s subsidiaries at Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited SAHCOL, Ports & Cargo Handling Services Limited, SIFAX Off Dock Nigeria Limited and SIFAX Haulage and Logistics Limited.
According to Patience Ranami Abah, the aim of the visit was to collaborate with SIFAX Group in the development of the huge business potential in the state, adding that the SAHCOL’s team had earlier visited the state to inspect its new cargo airport.
She said: “After the visit of SAHCOL team to Bayelsa, we were invited to undertake a first-hand tour of the facilities of the company. Before the cargo airport begins operations, we wanted to get things right. With our visit today, we are marveled at the excellent business operations of the company. We don’t just want to build any kind of warehouse neither indulge in any shady operations of the airport, we want SIFAX Group to come with their technical expertise in the development of Bayelsa State”.
Also while speaking during the visit, Konyefa disclosed that he was impressed with the facilities and operations of SIFAX Group and commended the company for its level of investment and expertise, which he said, would be beneficial to Bayelsa State.
“We have undertaken a tour of SAHCOL facilities and discovered that we have found the right partners we have been looking for. They have all it takes to develop the newly-built Bayelsa Airport. We also want to engage them in the development of the deep seaport located in Agge. The seaport with a natural draft of 13 metres is aimed at boosting the business activities of the state”, he also said.
“After touring the facilities we are challenged by the homegrown logistics solutions that SIFAX Group has in its arsenal. We are engaging the company in varied business options that will be mutually beneficial to both the government and the company”.
Meanwhile, Executive Director and Senior Special Assistant to the Executive Vice Chairman of the Group, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, Mr. Ezekiel Ajewole, thanked the team for deeming it fit to choose SIFAX Group as a business partner in the development plan of the state. He assured that the company’s business model and vision are well aligned with that of the state and noted that the people of Bayelsa will be happy to have SIFAX Group on board.
Similarly, Executive Director, Finance of the Group, Mr. Mike Owope, explained that SIFAX Group has the wherewithal to boost the development of Bayelsa State, especially maritime and aviation industries with innovative business solutions tailored towards the development needs of the state.