NPA Management Launches Electronic Ship Entry Notice; Highlights Two Years Stewardship

Kindly Share This Story:

The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Habib Abdullahi

Form Benjamin A Ameh, Lagos

The life of present management of this Organization as it marks the end of the second year of our endeavors designed to make the Nation’s seaports the leading and most efficient port in Africa

In his welcome address to Major Stakeholders in the Nation’s Maritime industry on Wednesday September 17, 2014 at Eko Hotel, the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA,  Habib Abdullahi  said the launching of the Electronic ship entry notice (E-SEN) gives him a fulfilled honour and joy which coincides with the second year stewardship of the present executive management of NPA as well.

“Today in our resolve to continue to deliver efficient port services according to our mandate as an Authority, we have taken a giant stride to introduce another major initiative that will further drive with great speed the wheel of shipping in our ports. This is the Electronic Ship Entry Notice (e-SEN).

“The Ship Entry Notice (SEN) process hitherto was done manually. Stakeholders purchased booklets of application forms, filled a leaflet and submit manually to the designated SEN offices located in either the Western Ports or Eastern Ports Head offices depending on the port of call.

“This manual process is fraught with challenges, such as, duplication of requests, slow response to requests due to delayed verification and validation of ship data. Important to note also, is the feedback from stakeholders revealing the inconvenience faced in traveling back and forth between designated SEN offices to pick up their SEN certificates and ports of discharge, loss of manpower hours in business and the risk involved in commuting.

“Consequently, we have integrated an online payment platform on the E-SEN application. This is to simplify the payment processes to NPA and enhance the provision of   a link to the world economy thereby encouraging international trade

Abdullahi said that today is indeed, a remarkable day in the life of present management of  this Organization as it marks the end of the second year of our  endeavors  designed to make the Nation’s seaports  the leading and most efficient port in  Africa.

He said in the last two years and in line with the mandate given to us as well as the Transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan (GCFR), the present Management embarked on programs designed to improve efficiency of our operations.

“The major determinant of a good efficient and user friendly port is hinged on vessel turn-around time, cargo dwell time, security of ships at berth, as well as safety of the channel.

Apart from this, Nigerian ports were also in need of huge resources for rehabilitation and modernization of its infrastructure in order to meet the demand of stakeholders.  .

Our score card for the last two years as follows.

MARINE AND OPERATIONS

“In this area our efforts are anchored on the need to deliver an efficient port service in a safe, secure and customer friendly environment, in accordance with the international best practises.

“To achieve this, Management has continued to pay attention to first and foremost, improving existing port infrastructures in the areas of rehabilitation of port quay walls and aprons, deepening of our channels, upgrading of our common user facilities and wreck removal from our channels.

He pointed out that the  biggest vessel to call at any port in West Africa (WAFMAX) with a length overall 232.33 metres and capacity of 4,500 TEUS requiring draught of 13.5 Meters has started visiting our ports due to our consistent dredging campaign. The weekly call of the WAFMAX vessel to Lagos and Onne port is a great achievement, Abdullahi noted.

He stated that the stakeholders and shipping companies have confirmed that the channel management and conservancy function of the Authority has continued to improve.

“Analysis has confirmed that most of the ports recorded increase in the Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) of vessels mainly due to the capital and maintenance dredging of the channel by our Joint Venture (JV) Companies, namely the Lagos Channel Management (LCM) Company, for the management of the Lagos channel and the Bonny Channel management (BCC) Company for the management of the Bonny channel.

“These strategic developments have reflected in increasing cargo throughput to 77 Million metric tons in 2013 from 44,953,073 MT in 2005 excluding crude oil and gas.

Provision of Towage Services

“In order to provide efficient towage service, the Government has approved the outsourcing of these services in Port Harcourt, Onne,  Warri, and Calabar ports. Very soon, I assure you there will no more complaint in delays in ship movement in and out of the ports, he assured.

HEALTH SAFETY AND ENVIROMENT

NPA Boss said “in recognition that excellence in environment, safety and health    enhance efficient and successful Port Operations, an environmental health policy was formulated under the administration.

Major achievements here include Procurement of six (6) Nos Mercedes Benz (Actross 3332) fire engines with foam tenders, complete with accessories and one-year back-up spare parts, Supply of 2 Nos Mercedes Benz (Actross3332) fighting truck with aerial platform, complete accessories and one year back-up spare parts, Supply of first aid intervention equipment, Construction and supply of four (4) Nos Heavy Duty Fire Trucks and Supply of six (6) Nos Land Rover (defender) fire tender with complete accessories and one-year back-up spare parts.”

Development of Deep sea Ports

He further pointed out that it is during this management that the Federal Government has approved the development of a deep sea port in Lekki under a PPP arrangement. Other similar projects located in  Ibaka, Akwa Ibom state ,Olokola in Ondo and Ogun states ,Badagry ,Lagos state are also being considered.

Port Infrastructural Development

The managing director said we have continued to make strides in improving existing port infrastructures in the areas of rehabilitation works. We have seen to the conclusion of East and West moles and upgrading and renovation of common user facilities adding that the completion of phase 4 and approval received for the commencement of the development of port facilities phase 4B at Onne Port Complex

Capital Projects

In pursuance of the development of our ports to ensure that they meet international standards in service delivery and satisfying the requirements of port users and stakeholders, Management has continued to; vigorously pursue major capital projects in all our port locations nation-wide. We therefore witnessed: Completion of the construction of 1.6km road at LPC, completion of reconstruction of terminals B &C at old Warri Port, completion of the rehabilitation of rail track at LPC, continuation of the rehabilitation of TCIP quay wall and quay apron and third party projects which includes: Initiation and completion of  Island Berth on Lagos Channel by Oando and Completion of Eko Support Services at Bullnose, Apapa

To further encourage private participation in port development, Abdullahi said technical approvals were granted to Digisteel Ltd and MRS Oil & Gas to expand their services at Ogogoro and TCIP respectively.

We have also granted approval to Niger Dock for development of additional berth to its existing one at Snake Island. Similarly, we are processing a number of applications from prospective investors. Already applications from PTML and GDNL have been processed and recommended for requisite approval.

He noted that in order to accommodate the rapid expansion and development in the port, we are intensifying effort in the final production of a National Port Master Plan.

FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

At the commencement of this administration, he reminds the stakeholders that it became imperative to seek ways of improving the revenue of the Authority without compromising efficiency and to provide comfort for all customers. Consequently Management unveiled the E-payment initiative to deliver our vision for overall transformation of the Authority.

He noted that sometimes in February 2014, we invited you, our esteemed stakeholders and customers to introduce the Electronic payment solution which has tremendously improved our operations.

This includes Identifying  and blocking  all avenues of revenue leakages, Investment  in massive infrastructural renewal and development geared towards deepening the channels to attract larger vessels; and automate and integrate our various ports nationwide using the same information technology platform, thereby improving efficiency and reducing manual intervention in our processes.

This has already started yielding results, Abdullahi said while noting some of the benefits of the e-payment platform include: Instant Payment confirmation, Elimination of human interface in the payment procedures, Improve vessel Turn Around Time and Reduce cost of doing business in our ports which impacts positively on the national economy.

Going forward, Abdullahi reiterated that it is expected, that introduction of this platform would eliminate among others; Delays in confirmation of payment of provisional bills across the ports, Long documentation and payment confirmation procedures arising from the above, Unnecessary delay of vessel in Port awaiting payment confirmation leading to demurrage payment by ships and delay in the 48 hours clearing process.

NPA Boss stressed that the process has helped to improve service delivery between   Terminal Operators [Concessionaires], Shipping Companies, Leases and other stakeholders and the Nigerian Ports Authority. This is evident from the recent 15.4% increase in cargo throughput recorded in the 1st half of 2014.

HUMAN CAPACITY BUILDING

“This administration for the first time undertook a massive training plan both local and foreign that cut across every cadre of the workforce. In 2013 alone management trained 3,091 personnel out of the total work force of 4,245. This figure represents 90% of total workforce. Also considering the huge responsibility of securing the ports in line with international standards, the present Management has successfully completed the recruitment and training of security men for the Authority. Similarly, we are in the process of recruitment of additional firemen and women.

“In line with the corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy of the organisation, the present Management undertook several projects.

In his words: management is committed to the realization of the vision to make our ports the leading port in Africa and we shall continue at all times to remain focused on making our ports efficient and customer friendly.

 


Kindly Share This Story:

Related Post

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

amehnews greetings

x
%d bloggers like this: