… Calls for urgent Review
By Bon Peters
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 on them by the management of Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA).
The group under the aegis of Coalition of Eastern Maritime stakeholders expressed concern that if is allowed, it is capable of crippling the eastern ports and business of Oil and Gas Free Zone.
Addressing journalists after an emergency meeting in Port Harcourt the Rivers State capital, Wednesday, the Coalition represented by leaders of the Associations including 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 of the desire to decongest Lagos ports.
However, the coalition was quick to posit that such system didn’t meet the desired objectives as Lagos Ports according to available information is still battling with congestion.
ANLCA Eastern Zonal Cordinator, 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, even any sign of congestion.
He insisted that the management of Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA should have concerned itself with 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.”
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 call 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 Frieght Forwarders Association of Nigeria Chief Ijere Ibiam, among others.
About The Author
