Business
NPA Plans ICT Facilities For Ports
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) says it is in the process of developing its Information Communication Technology (ICT) facilities to meet up with the demands of ports operations.
The NPA General Manager, Public Affairs, Capt. Iheanacho Ebubeogu made this known at a media interaction in Lagos.
“Traffic is getting higher; we can no longer continue to operate manually. We are trying to computerise everything.
“In the area of development in technology, the authority is stepping up its ICT capability with the establishment of integrated Port Community Information System (ISPCIS).
“It will also develop the Vessel Traffic Management Information Services (VTMIS),’’ Ebubeogu said.
He said that the organisation was advocating strong collaboration with other stakeholders to build an electronic “one-stop shop network”.
The general manager also said that the authority, in line with its monitoring and compliance function, would ensure that concessionaires improve on ICT compliance and modern equipment for cargo handling.
Ebubeogu said that the public had misinterpreted the role of NPA in the ports operations in respect of ports concession.
He said that it had become imperative to distinguish between the ports operations being handled by NPA and the one handled by the terminal operators.
Ebubeogu said that NPA would comply with the international and global best practises.
He said that NPA would only concern itself with the provision of safety, security, environmental protection and efficient services at competitive cost.
The President of Maritime Association of Nigeria (MARAN), Mr Bolaji Akinola, urged NPA management to support journalists in the discharge of their duties.