Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, Mohammed Bello-Koko

The Nigerian Ports Authority NPA has donated a total of 24 power motor bikes to boost traffic management, monitoring and enforcement of regulations in Lagos, especially along the seaport corridors. This is in furtherance to its Electronic Call-up system called ‘eto’ for trucks and articulated vehicles used for haulage at the seaports, a development that has drastically reduced the erstwhile perennial gridlock in Apapa.

 According to a statement by the General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications, Ibrahim Nasir, the donation of the motorbikes is also in line with the commitment of the Managing of the authority, Mr. Mohammed Bello -Koko to eradicate gridlocks around all port locations in the country as part of efforts to ease the frustration and delays experienced by firms and persons doing business at the ports.

Representative of the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority and Executive Director, Marine and Operations, Hon. Onari Brown (2nd right) officially commissions Traffic Monitoring Motorcycles, the Director, Lagos State Ministry of Transport, Engr, Olayinka Shakiru (1st right), Port Manager, Tin Can Island Ports Complex, Jibril Buba, (1st left), Port Manager, Lagos Ports Complex, Olufunmilayo Olotu (2nd left), GM Security, NPA, Mohammed Khalil (3rd left) and SSA to Governor of Lagos State on Central Business District, Hon. Sola Giwa during the unveiling of the bikes in Lagos, recently.

The Managing Director, who was represented by the authority’s Executive Director, Marine & Operations, Hon. Onari Brown, while speaking at the official unveiling of the 24 motorbikes, said they are designed to strengthen traffic monitoring and enforcement along the access roads leading to the Lagos Ports Complex and Tin-Can Island Port, both in Apapa.

The authority had last year introduced an electronic truck booking system that imposed scheduling restrictions on trucks doing business at the port. NPA had also in partnership with the Lagos State Government began an enforcement campaign against indiscriminate parking of trucks along the port access roads.

The NPA Managing Director assured port operators and users that the authority, as the landlord and technical regulator of the port, will continue to deploy innovative measures towards the elimination of all encumbrances to free movement of trade along the access roads to the port.

He commended the Lagos State Government and its agencies for the support provided to restore sanity on the port access roads in Apapa and its environs, just as he expressed his delight with the progress achieved since the introduction of the electronic call-up system for cargo trucks.

“NPA has seen an improvement in the evacuation of cargo from the terminals to the hinterlands, while travel time to and from the ports has equally improved”, he affirmed.

Earlier in his address, NPA’s General Manager Security, Mohammed Khalil, stated that the concept of the “Eto” call-up system, introduced by the authority last year has revolutionised cargo delivery and evacuation at the nation’s seaports.

 Khalil noted that the launch of the motor bikes would complement the gains achieved following the introduction of the e-call up system for trucks which has proven to be the most viable solution to the perennial gridlock from Ikorodu Road into Apapa.

He explained that arrangement have been made with respect to rules of engagement or standard operating procedures (SOP) for riders of the motor bikes, along with the necessary logistics and technical support, towards a successful traffic monitoring and enforcement.

In her welcome address, Port Manager, Lagos Ports Complex, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Olotu appreciated the Bello koko- led management for its efforts aimed at putting an end to the gridlock impacting on port operations, especially at the Lagos Ports Complex and Tin-Can Island Port.

She said the launch of the motor bikes would improve traffic monitoring from Ijora, through SIFAX Inland Container Terminal up to Mr. Biggs, linking Apapa to Tin-Can Island Port corridor. According to her, the introduction of motor bike patrols would further enhance safety and security at the nation’s two busiest seaports.

Meanwhile, Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Central Business Districts (CBDs) and Vice Chairman on Apapa Traffic Hon. Sola Giwa, stated that the Lagos State Government would continue to collaborate with the NPA towards improved travel time within the Apapa corridor.

Giwa said that as Landlord to the Nigerian Ports Authority, Lagos State is willing and would continue to partner NPA to eliminate traffic congestion and travel delays being experienced by residents and business owners in Apapa. “This is our first collaboration with the NPA and it has been successful. I can assure you that the Lagos State Government would do more to support your initiatives. However, to whom much is given, much is expected”, he added.

The event was witnessed by senior officials of NPA, Commissioner Port Police Command Jonathan Towuru, Federal Road Safety Commission Sector Head of Operations Cyril Zango Matthew, among other dignitaries.