By citybusinessnews@yahoo.com —
The Acting Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello-Koko, has assured port users of the Authority’s commitment to speedily resolve all challenges associated with the electronic call-up system for trucks doing business at the port.
Bello-Koko made the pledge on Tuesday while interacting with truck owners and drivers during his visit to the Lilypond Terminal in Ijora, Lagos State for a firsthand assessment of the IT physical infrastructure built for the call-up system, which is domiciled in the terminal.
The visit, according to the Acting Managing Director, is to enable him re-evaluate the performance of the truck call-up system three months after it was deployed, and also engage directly with the service users to appreciate their concerns and challenges.
Bello-Koko explained that all teething issues arising from the truck call-up system will be addressed, stressing that both the online scheduling process and truck transit arrangement would be fine-tuned to check against manipulation and other related irregularities.
Explaining further, Bello-Koko said:“We will ensure that the entire process is fully automated and secured to prevent counterfeiting, while priority will be given to export cargoes in line with the economic diversification agenda of the Federal Government.”
According to Bello-Koko, NPA Management is poised to sustain the implementation of the minimum standard of trucks operating in the ports with the view to assuring that standard operating procedure (SOP) are imbibed at all times, pointing out that trucks that fail to meet with expectations would not be allowed onto the “Eto” app.
Speaking on behalf of haulage operators doing business at the port, President of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), Chief Remi Ogungbemi,said:“We will work with you as the success of NPA is our success as well. We commend the Authority for giving us this call-up system. However, the story so far has not been enjoyable, we’re hopeful that things will improve very soon”.
The Nigerian Ports Authority on February 27, 2021 rolled out an electronic call-up system for trucks dubbed “Eto”, to address the intractable traffic gridlock along the access roads leading to the two major seaports in the Lagos area.
A statement issued by General Manager, Corporate & Strategic Communications, Olaseni Alakija, explained that the visit to Lilypond Terminal by the Acting Managing Director, “his first since he assumed office on May 6, is to enable him assess the quality of equipment so far deployed and identify the necessary measures required”.
