The Port of Lobito has the reputation of being one of the most dynamic ports in South West Africa. As compared to the neighbouring countries, what is your evaluation of the Port of Lobito in terms of trade and international recognition? Is it seen as a key player in the area?
It is a rather difficult comparison because the Port of Lobito is recognised worldwide. Being connected to Benguela railroad makes it the only one in this area able to reach all the countries in Austral Africa. Other countries in the continent formerly used it because they did not have a similar capacity. It has a dimension of 1,348 km from the railway of Benguela to the border with Congo. Now in relation to Europe, I think the Port of Lobito is a good path of access to the countries in Europe.
Could you tell us about specific figures such as the volumes and numbers containers handled per year? How long does it take to clear a container?
In January of 2000 we imported 703 containers, exported 907 containers and placed 443 containers in the hands of our clients. In December of the same year the port had the capacity to retain 437 containers. As it was the end of the year, we registered the exportation of 7,073 containers and the importation of 7,410. Because many of our machines are not yet being used, only 45% of our working capacity is active. The Port of Lobito has the capacity to receive ships up to 300 meters long and as far as the rest is concerned, it has international size standards. It takes 7 minutes to take a container from the ship to the ground and as long as all the papers are ready, the container can come out of the port on the same day.
According our sources, prior to the war the Port of Lobito was handling five times the volume it does today. What strategy has been implemented to face this down fall of the activity and at the same time ensure a sustainable development of the Port?
The Port of Lobito is now struggling to be a real port by drawing the civil society's attention to exportation. You can see that most of the cities of Angola are located along the Benguela railway. What happened before the war was that most of them was productive. They produced wheat, corn and all the products needed by europeans, in addition to some products that came from Zambia and Zaire. And all these products including cattle passed by the Port of Lobito. Consequently, exportation activities were more intense than importation activities, summing up of exportation were aproximate 3 million ton in 1973. What happens now is that we live more on importation than on exportation. Also, it is thanks to PAM´s importations that we have some positive results.
The refinery project managed by Sonangol will certainly have a large impact on the port's activities. How would you evaluate this impact and how are you getting prepared to it?
I think this project is going to generate employment for many people and also a lot of activity in the port, as equipment for the refinery will have to be transported.
Consequently, the port itself, the province and the society will be developed by this project.
What is your investment policy in terms of upgrading your infrastructures and services?
We want to surprise ships and not be surprised by them. Thus we are illuminating the port, working on its pavement and repairing its rails. | Considering the number of ships that come to Lobito, to which extent is computerisation important to the improvement of your services? Do you have recourse to foreign advisers' expertise?
Well, computers technology is the best manmade equipment. We have a computer centre where the Director can easily have access to daily statistical information.
Regarding foreign expertise, my preparation to come to this port was as thorough as an astronaut's preparation to go to the moon. We have the capacity to overcome our own problems.
You know that our readers are constantly looking for new investment opportunities. Regarding Lobito, in which areas would you recommend them to invest…the refinery, basic infrastructure, etc.?
Besides the port there are indeed other sectors that can host investments. Sonamet, a French enterprise, employed many local people and has achieved a considerable development so far. It has even delighted us with the sight of a sea platform which was entirely built here.
Can you tell us a little about yourself? What was your most important challenge?
Well, I have been the Director of the Port of Lobito for 8 years. All the significant deeds you can see here were achieved with the help of my competent employees. We have developed a marriage-like relationship during the time we have been working together and this has made our co-operation possible and fruitful.
Now I would like to see our focus turned to the children. They should not be used to spread war and violence nor suffer abuses. It is necessary to stop Savimbi, who was created by the Portuguese as a means of stopping the MPLA´s fight for independence. The Americans have once arrested a Latin American President and condemned him to 200 years of prison and though he was not as terrible an assassin as Savimbi is. Why don't they do the same here? Even Hittler spared the Germans. Savimbi kills the Angolans and their culture. There used to be villages who sang and danced to welcome foreign delegations. You are not welcomed like this anymore because Savimbi killed them all! Please spread this fact to everyone.
What message would you like to address to Forbes´ readers?
I would like to tell all the businessmen that the Port of Lobito has its doors open and that it has machines to handle any type of cargo. It is 5 km long and 2 km wide, it has a 27 meters deep sea channel (the deepest allowed here is 46 meters), it can host any kind of ship and has a production capacity of 800 tons a day. Don't let this war prevent you from coming here and don't just trust what you read because journalists are capable of adding details to their stories just to sell more.
NB: World Investment News Ltd shall not be held responsible for unedited transcription past the 15-day delay after remittance of the latter. |
