E-call up: Group advocates information sharing with NPA to tackle extortion, corruption
The Advocacy For Maritime Development Association of Nigeria (AMDAN) has harped on the need for information sharing with management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) as part of measures to address issues bothering on extortion and improve on the electronic call up system within the port environment.
President of AMDAN, Segun Alabi made this known during a courtesy visit to management of the NPA on Monday in Lagos.
Alabi reiterated that the call up system can only succeed if management of the NPA are fully informed about the operational activities on the movement of cargoes in and out of the two seaports in Lagos
The President reiterated that the e-call up system has recorded some level stability in the cost of transportation from the ports to importers destination since the introduction last year but stressed the need to curb some of the bottlenecks affecting the process through information from stakeholders.
According to him, extortion at the ports have continued to be on the increase pointing out that with vital information sharing would assist management to progress in its service deliveries.
While highlighting some the challenges in the cargo clearance at the ports, he maintained that despite the encumbrances of extortion by security personnel of NPA and port police officers, there was the need to checkmate the illegalities noting that genuine information from stakeholders to management would serve as a positive step in tackling some of the setbacks.
On his part, Public Relations Officers of the Advocacy group, Mr. Onyeme Emmanuel called on management of NPA to give exportation of Nigerian commodities priority in accessing the seaports .
Onyeme added that stripping activities within Tin Can Island Ports Complex persists adding that the activities if not nipped in bud could lead to return of congestion at the port premises.
He also expressed worries over the shortage of security and traffic personnel of the NPA at Tin Can Island Port calling on management to recruit workers to fill in the existing vacuum.
The Spokesman affirmed that the Lagos Ports Complex (LPC) has maintained a standard that should be emulated by TCIPC against the backdrop of human traffic and extortion.
While responding, Acting Managing Director of NPA, Mohammed Bello Koko debunked allegations of scrapping the e-call up system, saying that “Rather than scrapping, management would improve on the system by way of review, fortify and modify the process.”
According to him, the visit by members of Advocacy group would assist management of NPA in areas that requires improvement.
Bello Koko also noted that information sharing is key for port efficiency adding that management is working closely with others security agencies to address issues of extortion along the port corridors and other challenges confronting movement of cargoes along the port corridors.
