• Monday, May 20, 2024
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BusinessDay

Lagos ports tap electronic tag regime for efficient truck movement

Apapa gridlock

Determined to enhance ease of doing business in line with the objectives of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Committee (PEBEC), the Trucks Transit Parks Ltd. (TTP) has concluded plans to deploy e-tag technology alongside Eto call-up system to ensure efficient truck movement in and out of Lagos Ports.

The e-tag regime to be deployed in partnership with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), aims to address challenges relating to non-compliance with standard operating procedures in the administration of the electronic call-up scheme.

It will also address the concerns around the Minimum Safety Standards of Trucks (MSS), and improve the ease of doing business for truckers.

Also, the e-tag will be configured as an electronic secure tagging system with embedded MSS and other port compliance requirements. It will replace the need for tamper-susceptible paper MSS, and enable real-time monitoring of truck safety status.

“We are dedicated to investing hundreds of millions in this project, because we firmly believe in the long-term sustainability of the port ecosystem and are proud to partner with the NPA and the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to deploy E-tag technology, paving the way for enhanced efficiency and security, and further enabling and easing the business environment for the nation,” said Jama Onwubuariri, managing director of TTP.

According to him, the initiative will cover all trucks accessing both Apapa and Tincan Island Ports, including industrial company trucks.

Onwubuariri said the TTP will finance the entire deployment, alleviating any financial burden on truck owners and stakeholders.

He added that the deployment will proceed upon formal approval by the Authority.

The decision comes in the wake of the Managing Director of NPA endorsing the deployment of E-tag technology as a viable solution during an expanded stakeholders meeting convened on April 23rd, 2024.

The TTP has also committed to shouldering the entire financial burden of the project, signalling its unwavering dedication to fostering long-term investments in advancing the digital infrastructure of Nigeria’s ports.