ETO:  NCMDLCA Lauds Port Manager Over Sanity, Orderliness At TCIPC

The Lucky Amiwero led National Council of Managing Director of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA) on Wednesday, lauded efforts put in place by the Port Manager,Tin Can Island Port Complex (TICPC), Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Engineer Ibrahim Yunusa Anji for the existing sanity and orderliness in port operations.

 

The professional body of licensed customs agents made this known during a courtesy visit to the Port Manager in Lagos.

 

Speaking at the meeting, led by the Council’ s Western Zone Coordinator, Alhaji Kasim Isa,  Aduwa expressed satisfaction over the innovations introduced by  the Port Manager adding that the association will work closely with the NPA at all levels.

 

According to him, since the Port Manager assumed office in December 2020, the port under his watch has witnessed steady progression in port operations and sanity.

 

Aduwa reiterated that despite the teething problem faced initially on the introduction of the electronic call up system by management of the NPA, Tin Can Island Port can best be described as the most friendly port in the country, calling on the Port Manager to do more in furtherance to eliminating any form of bottlenecks that may hamper trade facilitation.

 

 

Aduwa who also doubles as the Chairman, Tin Can Island Port Chapter, NCMDLCA maintained that NPA had never experienced any form of vehicular orderliness since the ports were concessioned in 2006 affirming that Engr. Anji did the unthinkable to restore sanity at TCIPC port operations.

 

He said, “NPA has been doing very very well since the deployment of the new Port Manager. Just look at the road for instance you will agree with me that there is a change in the way and manner we do things now.

 

“Before now it used to be hectic before we can access Tin Can Island Port Complex before we can do our jobs. There is no way you can move from Mile 2 to this end without complaining  .

 

“Despite coming through with motorbikes, you will surely see the agents, government officials falling down the road with some degree of injuries on a daily basis.

 

“But with the efforts of management of NPA, I think things have changed in our ports.

 

“Truly speaking, the Port Manager is a man of his words. We are proud of him because when he assumed duty here at TCIPC, he did promise to do his best to ameliorate the situation he met on ground and today we are all happy with what the ports look like.

 

We have lodged series of complains to him since he was deployed to the port and believe it or not, he has resolved those complaints .

 

While sharing his experience on human control at the port, the Western zone coordinator stressed the need for the completion of the technologies surrounding electronic call up system pointing out that current situation of less human contact and interface has created an enabling environment for trade facilitation to thrive.

 

He however, expressed optimism of success on the electronic call up system saying that the council would continue to assist in the area of information sharing for the ETO work.

 

Responding, the Port Manager, disclosed that on assumption of duty, he was able to engage truck drivers and the various transport associations as part of measures to nip the lingering traffic situation within the port access road.

 

Anji affirmed that management of the NPA was working round the clock in ensuring that the e-call system succeed.

 

According to him, a designated park for articulated vehicles was introduced to further decongest the port noting that broken down trucks along access road would be towed to a park at a token, which in turn led to free vehicular movement of container laden trucks along the corridors.

 

The Port Manager maintained that the fruitful engagement with the road contractors also contributed to the sanity faced at TCIPC.

 

The lauded management of NPA under the acting Managing Director, Mohammed Koko for his team spirit and effort to ensure that the e-call up system work out perfectly.

 

Anji said the e-call up system contributed majorly to the orderliness witnessed so far in port operations.

 

According to him, the port corridor was also another factor militating against smooth port operations at TCIPC but added that on assuming office in December 2020, he engaged the contractors handling the Apapa Oshodi Expressway on the need to expedite actions in fast tracking the completion at the port axis route.

 

“When I came on board as Port Manager , I make sure that I engage the truck owners and I appealed to them that before any entry into the port they should ensure that the battery, brake and other accessories surrounding the vehicle is intact to avoid any form of breakdown along the access road of TCIPC and that has been working ever since then.

 

“We have a park where we gather faulty vehicles that has some technical issues to allow the flow of vehicles along the port access road and that is working for us as we speak .

 

By Roland Ekama