Ag. MD, NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko

The acting Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority, Mr. Mohammed Bello-Koko, has assured that deliberate measures and investments are being undertaken by the authority would culminate in the creation of a fully digital ecosystem across all the country’s seaport locations by 2025.

The MD, gave this assurance when he made a presentation on NPA’s “Digitalisation Roadmap and Current Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Implementation Status” at the just concluded 41st Ports Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) Annual Council Meeting and the 16th Round-table Conference of Managing Directors of PMAWCA, in Douala – Cameroon’

Bello-Koko informed the delegates that a lot of work has gone into the smart port transformation agenda of the authority, aimed at the enthronement of a paperless, time saving and cost efficient port operations in the country.

Represented by the Executive Director, Engineering and Technical Services, Prof Idris Abubakar, the NPA-boss also disclosed that the NPA first deployed a main computer system in 1975 to improve its payroll management, billing, statistical and accounting systems.  Available records also show that from 1992, the deployment of personal computers was done at each port location to ease data management, and information sharing was difficult as there was no connectivity between the ports.

“In 2011 the authority reviewed its ICT strategy in line with its new role as a landlord, which followed the concession of port terminals in 2006. The primary focus of the new strategy is on enterprise computing and heavy dependence on network infrastructure, along with a centralised and shared database.

“The adoption by NPA of a phased ICT deployment is geared towards achieving a fully integrated port operating system; to foster relationship with all internal and external stakeholders, to streamline NPA’s internal business processes; to make use of high-end smart technologies; as well as to record, monitor and utilise data for better decision making.

“A five- year plan is now being implemented by the authority for the attainment of a fully digitalised port system in Nigeria. So far, the authority has deployed a portfolio of systems and infrastructure towards the actualisation of its ICT objectives. These include Oracle Enterprise Business Suite for financial and human resources planning; Billing/Revenue and Invoice Management System (RIMS) to fast-track billing processing; Customer Portal/electronic Ship Entry Notice (eSEN)/Manifest Upload for shipping traffic management.

“Others include Hyperion Budgeting for management of annual budget; Command, Control, Communication and Intelligence System (3Ci) for maritime domain awareness and management of vessel calls; Truck Call Up and Gate Access Control for the control and schedule of trucks to the ports as well as manage truck traffic around the port corridor”, Bello-Koko also said.

Investigations further showed that with the international supply chain faced with several disruptions, NPA plans to focus on the smartness level of the port than the size of the port in order to optimise productivity and meet the expectations of port users.

“Bello Koko said: “At NPA our goal is to leverage on technology to close the gap between us and the major international ports. A digitalised seaport helps in making better informed operational decisions, increased efficiency, improve collaboration amongst stakeholders, lower port costs and ultimately help to meet the ever increasing customer expectations in a timely manner”.

Meanwhile, President of PMAWCA and Director General of Ghana Ports and Habours Authority GPHA, Mr. Micheal Luguje, while delivering a welcome address, described the conference theme; “Digitalised Port as a model of Port Efficiency”, “as very relevant because more than ever, the COVID-19 pandemic has indeed taught humanity that we live in a very fragile world, adding that within a space of time, the dynamics with regards to world trade and our ways of life can change dramatically.

 “The impact of COVID-19 pandemic cannot be swept under the carpet so easily. Countries are now rebuilding again after many years of economic progress has been wiped off. As leaders in the maritime field entrusted with the responsibilities of facilitating trade and economic progress for our respective countries, we are here to have serious discussions on how we can continue to adjust in the face of this unwavering virus and how to plan and operate our ports to meet future challenges.

The main aim is to explore diverse ways of using less to achieve more through the use of smart technologies”, he said.

The PMAWCA 41st Council Meeting was declared open by Cameroon’s Minister of Transport, Mr. Massena Ngalle Bibehe. The Roundtable Conference was chaired by the Director General, Port of Douala, Mr. Cyrus Ngo’o. The event attracted heads of PMAWCA member ports and sister organisations which include International Association for Ports and Harbours IAPH, International Maritime Organisation IMO, Maritime Organisation for West and Central Africa MOWCA, Union of African Shippers Council and the Abuja MoU.