. . . Call for its urgent review

By BON PETERS, Port Harcourt

There is palpable tension in the Eastern ports over what Maritime stakeholders refer to as a cooked up plan to foist an Electronic Truck Call System by the management of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

The stakeholders under the aegis of Coalition of Eastern Maritime stakeholders say such may cripple the eastern ports and business of Oil and Gas Free Zone if allowed to fester.

Addressing journalists after an emergency meeting in Port Harcourt the Rivers state capital, Wednesday, the Coalition represented by leaders of the Associations such ANLCA, NAGAFF, APFFLON, National Council of Managing Directors of Customs Licensed Agents, Transport Units of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Importers Association, ARFFN among others insisted that the system as far as they are concerned, was borne out the desire to decongest Lagos ports.

However, the Coalition was quick to posit that such system didn't get the desired objectives as Lagos ports according to available information is still battling with congestion.

ANLCA Eastern Zonal Coordinator Mr. Joshua Ahuama, who read the position on behalf of others queried why the Eastern ports which is not working up to 40% capacity should be subjected to such a rigorous Electronic Truck calls system without any sign of congestion.

He insisted that the management of Nigerian Ports Authority should have concerned itself on how to revive the Eastern ports, of Warri, Calabar, Port Harcourt, Onne that are moribund over the years.

"Look at the ports access road around WACT and OMT; our containers are falling right here inside the Port almost on weekly bases. NPA should have liaised with relevant authorities to fix the roads and other decayed infrastructure at the Ports.

His words: ?We wish to raise serious concerns over the proposed extension of the Electronic Call-Up (E-Call Up) system, currently operational in Lagos ports, to the Eastern ports. This move appears to be a strategic ploy to frustrate the competitiveness of Eastern ports particularly Onne, Port Harcourt, Calabar and Warri as well as de-marketing Oil and Gas Free Zone Logistics efficiency."

He went further to posit," This move poses a grave threat to national economic balance, regional development, and the ease of doing business in Nigeria."

Continuing, the ANLCA chieftain listed some of the Key Flaws of the Lagos Ports E-Call Up System to include: "Persistent Congestion,? saying, "Despite the E-Call Up system, Lagos ports remain notorious for gridlocks and traffic chaos, defeating the essence of the technology" even as he emphasized that the system lack decent implementation, coordination and often creates more delays than it alleviates."

He also stated that such system ?creates high costs as Truckers incur extra fees in holding bays and endure long, wait times, driving up overall logistics costs."

He also alleged that the system was replete with corruption and manipulation noting that access to ports via the E-Call Up system was reportedly subjected to manipulation, thereby favoring certain contractors and undermining transparency.

Furthermore, he said no measurable value addition has been noticed in such a system in Lagos, insisting that "There is little evidence that the system has improved time efficiency, cost-effectiveness, or clarity in cargo movement."

He described the Eastern Ports as having a Model of Efficiency which according to him has Zero Congestion as Terminals at Onne, Port Harcourt, Calabar, and Warri operate free of the chronic bottlenecks unlike Lagos, even as he reiterated that Eastern ports have seamless operations human-interface, free systems which enable swift loading and discharge of laden and unladen containers.

He advised that NPA should concentrate on maintaining access roads which are neglected leading to frequent fallen containers and accidents in the Eastern ports.

On Free trade zone, he said such call Up system would Impact on Oil Servicing, Logistics Firms and Free Trade Zone:

"The Eastern ports are vital arteries for oil producing and servicing companies, project cargo, and the Nigeria Oil & Gas Free Trade Zone.'

"Imposing the E-Call Up system will: Undermine Free Trade Zone Objectives: Disrupt the streamlined operations designed to attract investment in the oil and gas free zone and can lead to unemployment."

The group therefore called on the Ministry of Maritime and Blue economy, and every other relevant agencies to prevail on Nigerian Ports Authority to suspend the E - call Up system at the Eastern ports.

Present at the briefing include, Dr. Mrs Chinyere Okere, Eastern Zonal Secretary of ANLCA, District Chairman, Eastern ports Maritime workers union of Nigeria (MWUN) Comrade Adolphus Ugwu. Chairman, Onne Port and National Vice Chairman National Council of Managing Directors of Customs Licensed Agents, Chief Emeka Nwosu, Chairman, Onne chapter, Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria, Comrade Obinna Ugochukwu, Chairman, Abia Freight Forwarders Association of Nigeria Chief Ijere Ibiam, among others.

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