NPA Plans Vessel Trackers For Port Channel
Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has disclosed plans to procure a Vessel Tracking System (VTS) for the Lekki channel and other port locations in the country.
The authority also explained its management was in discussions with Lekki Port operators on African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), adding that it was planning to come up with a new tariff regime that would encourage trans-shipment and transit cargoes back to Nigeria.
The Managing Director of the authority, Mohammed Bello-Koko disclosed in Lagos when the Minister of Transportation inspected the Lekki Port project.
The NPA boss noted that this was the first time that Nigeria would have a port that has Ship-to-Shore cranes, adding that this would bring efficiency and change the way cargoes are being moved around the port.
Bello-Koko explained that NPA was ready to take delivery of two pieces of 80 tonnes bollard pull ASG tugboats and two pilot boats for deployment to the seaport.
The NPA boss noted that approval of the minister on the tariff would be sought when concluded.
The managing director said that the operationalization of the port before the end of 2022 would help Nigeria take full advantage of AfCFTA,
He explained: “We are already in discussion with them on tariff on transit and trans-shipment cargoes, these kinds of cargoes are sensitive to the tariff, it means that it is coming to this port before it gets to the final destination.
“This discussion is taking place and we would come back to the Honorable Minister of Transportation for necessary approvals that would encourage transit and trans-shipment cargoes back to Nigeria, this was happening at Tin Can and Apapa in the early days, but before because of the multiple checkpoints on the highway.
“If transit cargoes come here, they would be loaded on smaller vessels from the mother vessels and moved to other countries, this would be of economic advantage to Nigeria. We have been clamoring for how to reduce congestion in Tin Can and Apapa port and this is one of the best solutions we have gotten.
“There is minimal human interference in activities, there would be ease of clearing goods and taking them out and the scanning system would scan containers while at the port.”
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