NPA approves eight parks for trucks, as Electronic Call-up system starts Saturday

Ranmilowo ojalumo
As the long awaited electronic call up system at the port starts on Saturday, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has said about eight parks have been approved for trucks to park so as to enhance the efficiency of the process.
The Managing Director of the agency, Ms Hadiza Bala-Usman disclosed this during a virtual meeting with journalists Monday.
Usman however revealed that the Electronic Truck Call-up system introduced by NPA, would kick off from February 27, 2021, stressing that any stray truck found on Apapa road, would be impounded.
The NPA boss also pointed out that the agency would come hard on shipping companies failing to provide holding bays for their empty containers, at least 65 per cent of their annual take.
According to Usman, importers and their agents would be qualified for the refund of container deposits made whenever empty boxes had made their way to such holding bays.
Meanwhile, NPA has reiterated its commitment to sanitise barge operation in the country to meet its expected purpose.
Also speaking on barge operation during the virtual meeting, Usman, noted that barge operation was intended to reduce the hardship on the Apapa perennial traffic, the purpose she observes the barge operation is not meeting.
Usman said NPA is going to check abuse on barge operations in the nation’s waters by adopting stricter licensing procedure, saying such move will stop the inherent abuses the sector has been subjected to by stakeholders in recent times.
Usman however expressed optimism on improved shipping in the country, saying there will be huge improvement in shipping business with the expected delivery on approved deep seaports in Onne, Lekki in Lagos, Ibom in Akwa Ibom, among others.