WACT-APM Terminals begins 713-metre drainage project in Onne to tackle flooding

WACT-APM Terminals Nigeria has broken ground on a 713-metre drainage project in Onne, Rivers State, home to one of Nigeria’s busiest maritime gateways for container and oil & gas cargo, to tackle persistent flooding and sanitation issues in its host community.

The project, located in Eleme Local Government Area, is key to the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts, targeting two core focus areas, including health and environment, and infrastructure development.

“This is Phase 1 of the Olumba Road flood drain project,” said Jeethu Jose, managing director of WACT-APM Terminals Nigeria. For WACT, investing in the surrounding environment is a way to ensure smoother operations while fulfilling its social obligations. “Today’s project adds to our growing commitment to improving lives in Onne,” he said.

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Jose also revealed plans to launch a plastic recycling plant in the community in the coming months. “This will help clean the environment and generate income for the community,” he said.

Community leaders hailed the drainage project as a major step forward. “This is a well-deserved day for the Onne people,” said Sunday Jiala, the paramount ruler of Onne. “Flooding brings disease, disrupts family income, and robs us of peace. But today, you’ve come to give us good, healthy life.”

Justin Okwuofu, WACT’s community relations manager, noted that the project was born out of a community-led needs assessment. “We walked through Onne for days to hear directly from the people,” he said. “It was during this walk, our Gemba, that the drainage need was identified.”

The project is implemented in partnership with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority (OGFZA), and other government agencies at the port.