The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, on Friday inspected the Tin Can Island Port access road over worsening traffic congestion on the port access road, which has crippled cargo evacuation from the port.
Amaechi was accompanied on the visit by the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman and the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Hassan Bello.
Amaechi reiterated the need for an urgent solution to curb trucks blocking the access roads to the ports towards achieving timely clearance of goods with less human contact.
He promised to meet with all relevant agencies on January 19, 2021 to find permanent solution to the lingering traffic chaos, a development which has resulted in massive congestion at the port.
Also speaking during the inspection, the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman said, “We are planning to deploy an e-call-up system in January 2021. We will provide an electronic call-up system within the ports and designated truck parks. No more trucks parking randomly on the road; we are going to have a designated trucks park; when you are called upon, that is when you can enter the port.
“The electronic call-up system will be across all platforms on phones. You can monitor when the consignment arrives and when you have been assigned to pick up your cargo. The e-call up will also remove human intervention and eliminate corrupt practices.”
The Executive Secretary of NSC, Hassan Bello, said that the council has been working on finding temporary solutions to the gridlock on the port access road.