Following his assumption of office in May this year, Nigeria Ports Authority’s [NPA] Acting Managing Director Mohammed Bello-Koko took deliberate steps to reposition the Authority to focus on cost optimization, quality service delivery, maximising business value for port operators and users, and improving the overall efficiency of the country’s maritime industry.
To support the Federal Government’s economic diversification agenda through the promotion of non-oil exports, NPA partnered with the Nigeria Export Promotion Council [NEPC] to establishthird party dedicated export terminals or export parks, to be located in Lagos and Ogun states. The initiative is aimed at the processing, packaging and certification of exports under a one stop platform that houses all relevant agencies responsible for quality control and regulatory validation of exports before shipment. The objective is to enhance and fast-track Nigerian export cargo for shipment at the export parks without any further port clearance protocol. A pilot project has been established at the Lillypond Container Terminal in Lagos, while ten other export terminals are in the process of being certified in order to begin operations by first quarter of 2022.
NPA is in the process of consolidating its various electronic platforms under a unified port community system. Currently, it utilises the following technology platforms:
• Oracle Financials and Human Resources Planning
• Enterprise Resource Planning [ERP]
• Revenue & Invoicing Management System [RIMS]
• e-Ship Entry Notice [e-SEN]
• Customs portal for online submission of bills
• Hyperion budgeting
• 3CI [Command, Control, Communication & Intelligence]
• Truck Call-Up Access Control
• Harbours System Linked with the 3CI for harmonisation of vessel operations
NPA Management’s agenda is to consolidate all the platforms into a single Port Community System to allow for ease of transaction and eliminate impediments associated with manual processes. International Maritime Organization [IMO] is providing technical aid to NPA for the development of the Port Community System.
To ensure immediate commencement of port Infrastructure & Rehabilitation, Federal Ministry of Transportation [FMOT]constituted a Technical Committee to identify operational issues at the ports and assess the state of existing port infrastructure,starting with Lagos ports. A technical consultant has already concluded the preliminary assessment of the ports.
NPA is reviewing alternative sources of long term, low interest capital for port infrastructure development by engaging reputable funding institutions such as African Development Bank [ADB], Chinese Exim Bank and other Infrastructure Development Agencies. In addition, port terminal operators are also being encouraged to explore such windows to fund the rehabilitation of the facilities and port equipment, with amortisation as an option of recouping investments. This is to ensure immediate commencement of rehabilitation of ports and quay walls and also deeper drafts to accommodate large modernvessels.
The Bello-Koko led Management’s first public action was to rejig implementation of the electronic call up system for trucks, known as ETO. It ensured all identified lapses associated with the system were addressed, particularly breaches observed,while the Taskforce saddled with enforcing compliance was in charge. Series of stakeholder engagements were held with the top hierarchy of the Military, Nigeria Police, other security agencies, Lagos State Government and other critical industry stakeholders. The outcome of these engagements led to tremendous improvement in travel time along the Apapa port access roads.
NPA, in conjunction with FMOT also reached out to the Federal Ministry of Works on the timely completion of the reconstruction of Sunrise Bus Stop to the Mile 2 stretch of Tin Can Island Port corridor. NPA also launched “Operation Green” to remove and clear all illegal structures and shanties on the Apapa and Tin Can Island port access roads. A great deal of success was recorded by this operation as exemplified by the free flow of traffic to and from the ports. NPA is cashing on this success to embark on awareness and sensitization of port stakeholders to drum support towards implementation of a sustainable policy on traffic decongestion along port corridors. In this regard, it has procured twenty-four motorcycles to be added to existing assets for a better traffic management to the ports.
NPA is also pushing to address identified areas of security vulnerabilities with the deployment of Electronic Access Control, with Apapa and Onne ports as pilot projects.Procurement process has commenced for the full perimeter fencing of Tin Can Island Port Area to further consolidate compliance with ISPS code. In further compliance with ISPS code, especially as it relates to vulnerabilities of the ports waterfront, NPA has procured 13 units of Security Patrol Boats ready to be deployed across all pilotage districts, including establishment of Marine Police units in Calabar and Delta ports where none currently exist. This would reduce attacks on vessels around the port area and boost the confidence of international shipping community to use Nigerian ports.
To enhance efficient marine services, particularly monitoring and facilitation of communication with vessels, NPA alsorenovated the dilapidated Control Towers at both Apapa and Tin Can ports. New communication gadgets were installed to ensure prompt and effective communication with vessels coming into the port channels. This led to significant improvement in harbour services and increased port revenue. Various marine equipment such as Pilot Cutters, Security Patrol Boats and Tug Boats are also being deployed.
To improve cargo evacuation and facilitate quick return of empty containers to the port, NPA reviewed modalities for registration and operation of barges. The new regulatory framework which includes a new Standard Operating Procedure [SOP] took effect from September 1, 2021. It provides for enforcement of safety and operational standards, including the requirement to install radio communication equipment on-board to facilitate the sharing of traffic information. Furthermore, NPAis in the process of deploying an electronic call-up system for barges, similar to the one for trucks, to streamline their operations and movements. It has approved rates for barge operations which will ensure more revenue to the Government.
Similarly, NPA has supported the use of privately managed jetties as part of measures to optimize inland barge services at the port. This has encouraged barging as a mode for the promotion of inter-modal transportation. The use of barges has taken some pressure off the roads. The movement of cargo by barge this year alone has recorded well over 200,000 TEUs. This has also generated huge employment opportunities in stevedoring, terminal operations and other marine services. It also becomes another revenue stream to NPA and Government.
To address the menace created by trucks carrying empty containers and to ensure that Nigeria is not made a dumping ground for empties, NPA began to enforce the return of empties, where vessels are compelled to ship back at least 80% of the containers shipped in. NPA management also recently commissioned an ultra-modern and fully digitalized archival system of document preservation and storage to guarantee safety of records and documentation.
Since May, the Bello-Koko led management has steadied the ship by running an inclusive style of administration along with regular consultation with relevant agencies of government and trade groups operating in the ports. It has won plaudits from industry stakeholders for focusing on cost optimisation to shore up revenue, exploring alternative funding sources to address ageing port infrastructure and repositioning Nigeria as hub for maritime trade in Africa. As 2021 winds down, all hands are on deck to ensure that NPA remains a veritable and profitable national asset with a secure and business-friendly port system.
