The Acting Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello-Koko, has assured port users of his commitment to speedily resolve all challenges associated with the electronic call-up system for trucks doing business at the port.
Bello-Koko spoke 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.
He said the visit 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.
He explained that all the challenges arising from the truck call-up system will be addressed, adding that both the online scheduling process and truck transit arrangement would be fine-tuned to check against manipulation and other related irregularities.
He 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.”
He assured that the management of the agency 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.
The President of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), Chief Remi Ogungbemi, assured his host of the association’s commitment to partner with him with a view to taking the NPA to the next level.
He added:”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”.
