Hyacinth Chinweuba
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), is ready for the take-off of transit trailer parks in Apapa, which is designed to address years of gridlock in the area.
The management said it is ready to commission the two transit parks at Lillypond and Tin can Island Second Gate.
In a statement by the General Manager, Corporate Communications, Engr. A.A. Jatto, the two parks according to the Acting Managing Director, Dr. Sokonte Davies, will enhance effective Port Operations and improved service delivery across board.
Davies said priority would be given to Truckers with empties and exports.
Davies who is the Executive Director, Marine and Operations assured stakeholders that the authority as a Landlord would not fold its arms and allow for total breakdown of the system.
“Instead It would take the bull by the horn and proffer permanent solution to the menace in view of the role the sector plays in the life of the nation’s economy’’, he said.
According to the Acting Managing Director, some of the plans put in place include mandating the Incoming Task Force to ensure that all trucks are not allowed to park on the bridges forthwith.
He also said Shipping Lines and Terminal Operators must synergize their operations to ensure the success of the call up system, adding that security agencies are to remove all category of trucks milling round the port environment.
He also disclosed that Traffic and Law enforcement agents will ensure that the Tincan Island – Mile 2 corridor axis is open for optimal Traffic and Port Management.
The various sectional Heads from the NPA involved in the exercise resolved that enforcement would be total whilst calling on the support and understanding from all involved.
The authority also stressed that while the Trailer parks were a transit point, it would ensure that broken down trucks are towed away on a penalty and urged all concerned that a platform would be made available for complaints to be lodged by stakeholders.
The Director General, DG, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency [NIMASA] Dr. Dakuku Peterside represented by Mrs. Anna James Akpan, Assistant Director, Shipping Development eulogized the initiative of the NPA in putting an end to the menace.
The Port according to Peterside was a critical component of the Maritime sector.
The DG, said, “The ease of access into the Port and the provision and maintenance of the facilities to create a free flow of activities cannot be overemphasized as it will enhance the flow and increase of revenue to both the Authority and Government.’’
At the end of the discussions, participants urged he NPA Management to ensure that their members are made relevant in Committees just as they further pledged their loyalty to the NPA in ensuring that The Call Up System is effectively implemented for the growth and development of the Maritime sector.