The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Tin Can Island Port Complex has concluded plans to suspend stripping operations within the access road as part of efforts to encourage free flow movement of cargoes in and out of the port.
Against the backdrop of freight agents taking over traffic management on Monday, officials of the port authority also assured stakeholders that the current gridlock along the port access would soon be a thing of the past.
Traffic Manager, TCIPC, NPA ,Mr Peter Abiri in a chat with our correspondent in Lagos on Tuesday , explained that enforcement of the exercise would commence midnight Wednesday 25th November, 2020, adding that container stripping activities in all stripping facilities at the port will be temporarily suspended.
The Traffic Manager noted that resumption of stripping activities will be reconsidered after the port access road must has been cleared of all impediments, even as he reiterated officials of the port authority need to take the bull by the horn in resolving and tackling issues that might trigger unrest if not properly managed.
He pointed out that any violation of the directive by the operators will result in the closure of the terminals.
Efforts to address the long term challenges on the congestion, the Traffic Manager said that the e-call up system will commence operations before the end of the year.
According to him, five stripping facilities within the port complex have been notified to suspend such operations saying activities of the operations can be attributed to the gridlock within the access road.
While highlighting the facilities involved in stripping operations at the port, Abiri mentioned the Manufacturer Association of Nigeria (M.A.N) and Hannover Terminal respectively.
Other include: Dash Gold (Black gate), SocaTalmis and Wali Galibut at Abuja entrance to the port.
Abiri said plans are in top gear to mop up the port access road between Abuja park down to second gate within a week.
According to him, the NPA needs to be proactive in a bid to maintain orderliness thus restore sanity in the port environment.
He described the gridlock as a major crisis that can lead to breakdown of law and order if not managed effectively at the right time.
Abiri said, most of the stripping operators are not licensed to carry out such operations adding that 90% of Hannover activities within the port complex has to do with stripping.
By Roland Ekama
