Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello-Koko has stated that the planned port community system (PCS) by the authority is geared towards harnessing the gains of blue economy.
Bello-Koko stated this while speaking on the sidelines of the 33rd session of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) General Assembly.
He described the initiative as a game changer that will integrate all stakeholders within the maritime sector, promote national economy and support security of vessels, crew members and cargoes within the Nigerian maritime domain.
He also expressed optimism that Nigeria will achieve the port automation and necessary integration ahead of the IMO 2025 deadline set for member countries.
Bello-Koko, who is part of the entourage of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and as well the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, further stated that the PCS will foster transparency, support ease of doing business and trade facilitation.
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He explained some steps taken by the authority to set the PCS in motion ahead of the 2025 IMO deadline to include development of automation-based processes.
“In time past, before the introduction of e-sen, (Electronic Ship Entry Notice), it takes about two weeks from the time of application to the time of approval and issuance of the ship entry notice certification.
“However, since the introduction of electronic processing of ship entry notice, it takes about one hour for a function that used to take up to one or two weeks, depending on the idiosyncrasies of the man on the table and all the table the documents need to pass through,” he said.
According to him, the system will save cost of doing business and make Nigeria’s ports trade friendly by carrying out a function of two weeks in one hour and enhance faster ship turnaround time.
He added that NPA collaborative efforts with the IMO to achieve a world class port community system is at an advance stage and would soon migrate into implementation in line with global standard.
