As part of measures to ease the perennial gridlock in Apapa, Lagos, the Nigerian Navy says it has introduced a “Call up Card System’’ for trucks that have business to do at the ports.
The Commanding Officer, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT, Commodore Okon Eyo, disclosed this to journalists at a news conference at the Naval Base in Apapa, Lagos.
He said that the call up card system only allowed trucks that had business inside the ports, while those without call up cards were turned back at the foot of the bridge.
“What we have done was to a design call up card. Every morning, we ask them to bring the particulars of the trucks and we endorse the cards and give it to them.
“This will distinguish them from those who are not supposed to move, who should wait for normal clearance to proceed.
“This card will be given back to them and this means that we have processed trucks to continue.
“This card has worked perfectly well with the tankers and with this, they have been able to conduct their businesses well,’’ he said.
“The commander also said that the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) had also played a major role in easing the traffic situation around that area.
“We had a meeting and we were able to brainstorm and they have to do more supervision and we all agreed to step up our game.
The Commander also said that the shipping agencies should have a holding bay, adding that this also was a way of easing traffic on that axis.
He said that a Standard Operating Procedure was also introduced after much deliberation for all port users, which would help to ease up the traffic situation.
The call up system started on March 22. 2018.
The commander also noted that there were other security agencies that were now working together to tackle this menace.
Also speaking, the Traffic Manager, NPA, Mr Victor Ogini, said that there was an existing relationship between the port and the Nigerian Navy.
“We have been enjoying this collaboration from the Navy, Police, LASTMA and the truck owners.
“These are the people, who have been collaborating with us and the result is what we are seeing,’’ he said.
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