An electronic
call-up system to sanitise the movement of trucks and tankers operating in the
Lagos ports will take off soon, its initiators said on Monday.
call-up system to sanitise the movement of trucks and tankers operating in the
Lagos ports will take off soon, its initiators said on Monday.
Chief Chris Orode, Chairman of FT
Logistics Global Services Ltd., a platform for electronic call-up solution for
trucks and tankers made the disclosure while speaking with the News Agency of
Nigeria (NAN).
Logistics Global Services Ltd., a platform for electronic call-up solution for
trucks and tankers made the disclosure while speaking with the News Agency of
Nigeria (NAN).
Orode said the system, developed
with the peculiarities of doing logistics business in Nigeria, would eliminate
clogging of trucks in and around the ports and increase efficiency in port
activities.
with the peculiarities of doing logistics business in Nigeria, would eliminate
clogging of trucks in and around the ports and increase efficiency in port
activities.
When operational, it will resolve
the perennial gridlock problem emanating from trucks and tankers that obstruct
the roads leading into Apapa and spill over to adjoining roads in the
metropolis, he said.
the perennial gridlock problem emanating from trucks and tankers that obstruct
the roads leading into Apapa and spill over to adjoining roads in the
metropolis, he said.
He noted the plan would establish
the building of a truck park and a holding bay for empty containers at the
International Trade Fair Complex along Badagry Expressway, Lagos.
the building of a truck park and a holding bay for empty containers at the
International Trade Fair Complex along Badagry Expressway, Lagos.
“This electronic call-up system
is well researched to bring lasting solutions to the problem of trucks/tankers
clogging around ports access roads.
is well researched to bring lasting solutions to the problem of trucks/tankers
clogging around ports access roads.
“With this system fully
operational, there will be real time benefits as only authorised trucks or
tankers will be allowed access into the ports and loading bays.
operational, there will be real time benefits as only authorised trucks or
tankers will be allowed access into the ports and loading bays.
“The system will also assist
security agencies to easily track erring vehicles because it is working with an
array of electronic devices, running 99.9 per cent uptime online with world ICT
standards,’’ Orode said.
security agencies to easily track erring vehicles because it is working with an
array of electronic devices, running 99.9 per cent uptime online with world ICT
standards,’’ Orode said.
The logistics provider said the
project was planned to interface, work real time and seamlessly on a single
portal with critical stakeholders to achieve its goal.
project was planned to interface, work real time and seamlessly on a single
portal with critical stakeholders to achieve its goal.
He said the stakeholders include
the Nigerian Ports Authority, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Port Terminals,
Shipping Lines, trucking associations, freight forwarders, Lagos State
Government and relevant petroleum marketing associations.
the Nigerian Ports Authority, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Port Terminals,
Shipping Lines, trucking associations, freight forwarders, Lagos State
Government and relevant petroleum marketing associations.
Orode added that the system would
enhance transparency just as it would save cost in the logistics process and
help in trade facilitation.
enhance transparency just as it would save cost in the logistics process and
help in trade facilitation.
“This initiative will help to
reduce the cost of doing business in the ports, thereby attracting more
imports/exports.
reduce the cost of doing business in the ports, thereby attracting more
imports/exports.
“The financial institutions and
investors will be encouraged to invest in re-fleeting the trucks because the
wear and tear on them will reduce significantly.
investors will be encouraged to invest in re-fleeting the trucks because the
wear and tear on them will reduce significantly.
“With the introduction of a
tracking device on the trucks, the freight forwarders will be able to monitor
trucks conveying containers and general cargoes,’’ he assured.
tracking device on the trucks, the freight forwarders will be able to monitor
trucks conveying containers and general cargoes,’’ he assured.
Orode said the work strategy would
have all trucks/tankers with approved minimum standards registered and their
data integrated unto the platforms, including the payment managers.
have all trucks/tankers with approved minimum standards registered and their
data integrated unto the platforms, including the payment managers.
He said the payment platform
include Interswitch, Pay-Direct, e transact, Payment Gateway, Master and Visa
Cards reports.
include Interswitch, Pay-Direct, e transact, Payment Gateway, Master and Visa
Cards reports.
He added that the technology and
equipment partner for the vehicle access control management system is
Interswitch Nigeria Ltd., and Skidadata of Austria.
equipment partner for the vehicle access control management system is
Interswitch Nigeria Ltd., and Skidadata of Austria.
NAN reports that lack of a call-up
or access control system for trucks operating in the ports has left the trucks
to perpetually be on the ports’ access roads.
or access control system for trucks operating in the ports has left the trucks
to perpetually be on the ports’ access roads.
The trucks have preferred to stay
close to the ports with the hope of scouting for quick jobs, thereby causing
obstruction to other motorists as they line the roads for days.
close to the ports with the hope of scouting for quick jobs, thereby causing
obstruction to other motorists as they line the roads for days.
Previous efforts to keep the
indiscriminately parked trucks off the roads have failed and often, led to
face-offs with government.
indiscriminately parked trucks off the roads have failed and often, led to
face-offs with government.
