The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has started the implementation of Minimum Safety Standards (MSS) scheme for trucks operating in the Ports, through the electronic call –up system ‘ETO.’
The NPA said this was coming after after several consultations with stakeholders including the leadership of the various trucking groups doing business at the Port.
According to the NPA, the action aims to address the problem of incessant breakdown of trucks on the ports access corridor.
The resolve, the NPA said, was in furtherance to the understanding reached with the Lagos State Government (LASG), as a solution in the enforcement of the “Eto” call-up system designed to facilitate smooth transit of bulk cargoes and container-carrying trucks going to the Port.
The NPA said that with the take-off date of Thursday, 1 July, 2021, only trucks confirmed by the NPA to have met the MSS requirements and duly issued with an MSS certificate would continue to be active on the “Eto” platform, which is managed by the system operator – Truck Transit Parks Limited (TTP).
It added that any truck or vehicle not confirmed or certified would be denied access to initiate bookings on the “Eto” platform until it had met all MSS requirements as stipulated by the NPA.
The NPA therefore advised that “Owners of trucks yet to meet the MSS requirements are advised to approach the NPA Safety Department at any of the two Port locations in Lagos for appropriate guidance. After the truck is certificated, the truck details are to be uploaded on “Eto” in order for the truck to continue doing business at the Port.
“The Authority’s MSS scheme is sequel to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between NPA and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), a move to stem the increasing cases of trucks break down and containers falling off articulated vehicles inside the Port and on the highways, which had claimed hundreds of lives and destruction of properties. It was initially introduced in 2017, but was suspended in order to give truck owners enough time to meet the required standards.
“The scheme stipulates that all trucks doing business inside the Port must go through a safety audit and be certified as fit-for-purpose. Absence or defect of certain vehicle parts and accessories will disqualify a truck from certification. The safety inspection covers items that include the truck head, driver and vehicle particulars, trailer carriage unit, tyres, brake system, lifting jack, vehicle lights, driving mirror and speed limiter. The items checked will be recorded as satisfactory or non-satisfactory after the inspection.”
While soliciting the support and co-operation of Port users, especially truck owners, the Authority enjoined industry stakeholders to join hands to keep the Ports safe.
The NPA added that trucks doing business at the Port must meet stipulated standards of road worthiness to enhance the productivity of Nigerian Ports and check unnecessarily carnage on our roads.
