The electronic truck call-up system, known as ETO, will be deployed to Onne Port to improve flow of traffic, managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello-Koko stated.
The Onne port in Rivers state, according to Bello-Koko, is becoming extremely busy, necessitating the deployment of the call-up system.
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He noted that the NPA is considering expanding the call-up system to other ports across the country in response to several stakeholder suggestions.
Mr koko said “The electronic truck call-up system was deployed to automate the manual manifest system of trucks and we believe that it has improved traffic flow and reduced gridlock, especially around the Apapa area. But we have been tweaking and what we’ve been doing is holding meetings every week, two times a week.
“The essence is to look at what the problems are, where do we tweak it, and that, in tweaking, we make improvements in the call-up system which is aimed to essentially improve traffic flow. But we believe there is a need to also introduce competition and competition brings in efficiency.
“Stakeholders have been pushing for unbundling of the truck call-up system. We are working on that and we’ll see how that goes. But we believe it is time to do that. We will also expand it to other ports. Onne Port is becoming extremely busy. We believe it is time to deploy the truck call-up system there also.”
Speaking on recent issues bordering infrastructure, Bello-Koko said for the agency to implement major projects, the use of technology was essential as it would go a long way to improve revenue, as well as, the efficiency of service.
He said the deployment of information technology (IT) is one of the most important things NPA needs for all projects to be efficient.
Bello-Koko, however, added he looks forward to having a concession agreement that gives NPA the power it does not have now.
