Headlines
NPA, Lagos government restrategise to surmount malignant Apapa traffic gridlock

The NPA boss alongside the Executive Director Marine and Operations, other management staff, including Port Managers of Lagos Ports Complex and Tin Can Island Port Complex, Managing Directors of Apapa Bulk Terminal and Dangote Port Operations among other stakeholders, held a meeting with Mr. Governor and his team at the Lagos House in Marina.
Speaking at the meeting, the NPA Acting MD harped on the need to strengthen enforcement of traffic laws along the Apapa and Tin Can Ports roads.
Bello-Koko stated that the NPA has been inundated with complaints of extortions from truckers, especially by security operatives, including the Military, the Police and NPA Security, demanding money from drivers before accessing the Ports.
He described the ugly practice as a major disincentive to the smooth implementation of the truck call-up system.
Bello-Koko lamented that it has been alleged that no less than thirty “toll-points” have sprung up around the Apapa and Tin Can Port, where bribes are being collected before trucks are allowed into the Port.
Speaking with journalists after a 3 -hour closed-door meeting with the Lagos State Governor, Bello-Koko said “one of the complaints of the truckers has to do with extortion by security operatives, the Army, the Police, the Nigerian Navy and even NPA Security staff.
“We at the NPA have resolved to take the right punitive measures against any of our staff involved in this, we have moved some of them out of Port locations, and we will do further reviews, whoever is found involved, would be appropriately sanctioned.
“Because of the involvement of several security units, many checkpoints have been created, we believe there are over thirty checkpoints within the Apapa and TinCan Port axis, and we believe that this is a major issue causing delays and a whole lot of problems, this was one of the concerns we raised at our meeting with His Excellency,” he said.
The NPA boss acknowledged that the Lagos State Government has been a close partner, especially when it comes to enforcement, both in terms of providing security operatives and monitoring of the “Eto” call-up system, however, said there is a need to further strengthen that collaboration.
He explained that last week after an assessment visit, he directed the “Eto” Project Consultant and operator of the Lilypond Truck Transit Park to redouble their efforts, especially on the deployment of necessary physical and IT infrastructure as well as adequate human resources, to address the gaps and complaints of a delay from Port users.
He disclosed that the Authority has given the TTP company “marching orders” to immediately see to the deployment of these infrastructures, so as to reduce the waiting time of trucks in and out of the Port.
Bello-Koko further said that the meeting discussed the matter of poor access roads, especially around Sunrise Bus-stop leading to the Tin Can Port.
According to the NPA Boss “we have stakeholders like Dangote and others who have factories within the Port and each of them may need to bring in about 300 trucks daily, but it has to be done in such a way that their operations do not affect the need of other Port users to send in their trucks or exporters to send in and bring their trucks out freely.
Bello said he was optimistic that the renewed collaboration with the Lagos State Government would bring an end to the perennial gridlock within and around the Apapa metropolis.
He restated that henceforth, trucks that have not been registered or do not have the “Eto” ticket would not have access to the Port.
“We have directed TTP to deploy necessary infrastructure such as bollards, spikes and automated barriers, while CCTVs be fully installed at the port gates (entry and exit points), especially at the TInCan Island Port where such equipment is practically non-existent at the moment.
He also spoke on efforts by the Authority to address the myriad of hiccups associated with the return of empty containers to the Port.
Bello-Koko further said that efforts are on to significantly improve the transfer and processing of exports at the Port.
During his interactive session with Port stakeholders, Governor Sanwo-Olu called on all port users to be alert to their responsibilities in putting an end to the gridlock in Apapa.
He said there was a need for Port service providers, security agencies and NPA to adhere to their Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) as well as invest in the needed infrastructure which would galvanise the “Eto” system to heightened performance.
He assured that the State Government would commence engagements with the petroleum tanker drivers, tank farm owners and the NUPENG Union, to ensure that they are factored into the “Eto” call-up system.
According to Sanwo-Olu, the poor state of the Sunrise Bus-stop corridor has been identified as the major cause of the traffic congestion into the Tin Can Island Port, and there is a need for the contractors to speed up work around that area.
On his part, the General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr. Jide Oduyoye, said that Port users should expect a renewed vigour from LASTMA in dealing with the traffic situation around the Lagos Ports.
He said, “there are issues of tankers that are not part of the “Eto” system that needs to be part of the system because once the roads are cleared, we suddenly find out that the petrol tankers occupy the roads which makes it look as if nothing has happened.
Headlines
I want to bequeath fully automated ports to Nigerian shipping industry–Bello Koko

Eyewitness reporter
Mohammed Bello-Koko, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), has expressed his passion and uncommon commitment to leaving a fully automated port system as his legacy after he bows out of office.
Bello- Koko, whose ascension to the NPA’s highest office was as dramatic as it was eventful, said port automation, which is the latest trend in the world, especially, the Port system, is central to his administration in the NPA.
Koko, who spoke Saturday 14th, May 2022 during his maiden press conference, expressed his belief that a fully automated port system will translate to efficiency, low costs, and improved revenue.
In a no hold- barred interactive session with journalists, the NPA helmsman shared his vision of robust port processes hinged on automation devoid of human interaction.
“We have so much automation done in isolation and we need to integrate them.
“We need to put up something that everybody will love to log into. We need to copy a system that is being used in other developed countries, something that will add value, something that everyone agrees with and that is the port community system and harbour automation.
“I am looking forward to a legacy of rehabilitated port infrastructures with the right marine equipment and that is something we have started working on already.

“Discussions have started in terms of designs, we have gotten the full design of the Tin Can port, how it is going to be reconstructed, what is the likely cost of reconstructing Tin CAN, what are we going to do with some parts of Apapa port.
“We have approached BUA to start reconstruction. The same process is on in the Rivers ports where some of the infrastructures have collapsed.
“If we are able to do this, then we have achieved quite a lot.
Apart from port automation, Koko beloved that he needs efficient and committed staff who are well motivated to drive the reformation agenda.
So he declared that improved staff welfare is another area he wants to work on while in office.
“Staff welfare is very important to me which I want to pay special attention to. All these things are the legacies I want to leave behind when I exit as the Managing Director of NPA” he declared.
The NPA MD, who gave a blow-by-blow account of the challenges and prospects of bequeathing a reformed port process, believed that the core function of the NPA was trade facilitation.
However, he lamented that since the agency has been turned into a revenue-generating agency, it has lost focus on this vital core function of trade facilitation while pursuing revenue generation
“NPA is about trade facilitation.
“The core responsibility of every port in the world is to facilitate trade.
“While the NPA has been turned into a major revenue earner for the federal government of Nigeria, gradually, some of our responsibilities are impossible to carry out because there is more focus on the contribution to the CRF, which is fine.
“What it does for us is it makes us reduce costs and generate more.
He then extensively dwelt on the efforts of his management to reinvent the wheel of making NPA more of a trade facilitator than a revenue earner.
“For you to ensure that this trade facilitation succeeds, you need to meet with your stakeholders.
“The port environment is a conglomerate of so many players.
“That was the first thing we did and we set a goal for ourselves, which is what are those things we need to do in order to improve trade facilitation.
“It is only when you do that that you start to have a better flow of traffic, shorter dwell time of cargo, and quick turn around time of ships.
“And we reached out to as far as the Nigerian Navy with whom we are able to resolve some issues that we were not able to resolve for over 20 years.
“We just humbled ourselves and decided that we would reach out to everybody.
“We also realised that the modern ports are all moving toward automation, and automation cannot be in batches but there has to be full automation.
“Once there is manual interference in some of the things you do, then you haven’t fully been automated and because of that, we wrote to the IMO to help us consult. We are about to deploy the port community system.
“The port community system is an avenue which ensures that all stakeholders, all the players in the port processes, log into the system of exchange of data and processes.
“The good thing is that it doesn’t disturb the automation processes of individual agencies or stakeholders, such as e-customs and that was why we got the stakeholders to buy into it.
“We are upgrading our RIMS, you all know the problems of downloading manifest and we are going to deploy harbour automation.
“The IMO has mandated all ports to deploy such IT and soft wares by 2025, our target is 2023, maximum early 2024.
“We reached out to NLG. We have been trying to deploy VTS for about 10 years now but since we came, it was one of the major challenges.
“You can’t get qualified people to deploy VTS, they are very few.
“We wrote to IMO, they gave us some companies which could not meet our requirements while some of them were not interested in working with NPA.
“However, NLG has a VTR in Bonny, even though it is not robust.
“We do not have a problem in collaborating and in the last few months, we have been meeting with the NLG so that they do the survey and put the moles and the sensors around the country.
“It is one of the most important things in the maritime industry now, worldwide.
“We should be able to have visibility without seeing the ship and it would be a tremendous achievement and I believe we can achieve it within the year.
“Our RIM is also being updated and we ensure that people keep using those applications that we have which have reduced manual processes.
“As a result, things are improving, speed is improving. We have been able to block revenue leakages.
“However, we have old ports, we can all attest to that. The problem with the Eastern ports is decaying infrastructures while Tin Can island port is practically collapsing.
“We have decided to focus our budget on the rehabilitation of those decaying infrastructures.
Having reeled out his vision for a new port system, he then dared whoever cared to listen that he should be held responsible and accountable over his vision for the Nigerian ports.
“You can hold me responsible for any of these things ” he declared in a measured tone that betrayed his confidence and determination to succeed.
He promised to collaborate with relevant stakeholders and lending agencies to achieve his set objectives
“I will work with the relevant agencies, investors, and lending agencies who are interested in lending, either directly or indirectly.
Headlines
EFCC discovers academy where Yahoo boys are trained

Operatives of the Abuja Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), have arrested one Afolabi Samad, owner of a Yahoo Yahoo Academy in Abuja.
The 24-year-old was arrested Thursday, May 12, 2022, in a sting operation alongside 16 of his students.
The owner of the alleged Academy rented the 3 bedroom flat for Three Million Naira to impact the tricks of cyber-frauds on his apprentices for undisclosed fees.
Item recovered from the suspects include laptops, phones, charms and two vehicles: a Lexus RX350 and Toyota Highlander.
The suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
Headlines
PSTT seeks partnership with NARTO, MWUN to end traffic gridlock

Eyewitness reporter
The Coordinator-General, Port Standing Task Team (PSTT), Mr. Moses Fadipe has said that for the ports corridors to be freed, the team needs to work with the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigerian (MWUN).
Moses Fadipe said this during a meeting held at the Nigerian Shippers’ council headquarters in Lagos. He said that the illegalities on the port corridors are being tackled as a lot of state and non-state actors are currently being profiled.
He disclosed that some persons pose as NARTO workers to extort money on the port corridors.
In his response, the Executive Secretary, NARTO, Mr. Ogbogo Aloga, said anyone collecting money on the port corridors is involved in an illegal act. He appealed to the PSTT to address illegalities along Mile 2, Tin Can and Liverpool.
NARTO President, Yusuf Lawal said there is a need for collaboration amongst all agencies working in the ports.
He further stated that the transport sector of the maritime industry is currently going through a tough time.
Also, speaking at the meeting the President-General of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Adewale Adeyanju expressed the readiness of the Union to support the team to ensure the successful curbing of illegalities at the port.
|
|
-
Customs2 months ago
We have not suspended VIN policy—Customs
-
Customs3 months ago
N3trn revenue target: People will cry when we force them to pay Customs duty—- CGC Ali declares
-
Customs3 months ago
VIN war: Customs buckles, may review controversial valuation policy.
-
Customs2 months ago
Freight Forwarders may drag Customs to WCO over VIN controversy
-
Customs3 months ago
Customs brokers groan under VIN policy
-
Customs7 days ago
Exclusive! Mass retirement hits Customs as 549 officers bow out of service in 2023