Hints on Ports Community System Launch

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has disclosed  that the Agency is fully committed and making efforts to modernize and expand 24-hour operations across all of Nigeria’s seaports, as part of measure intended to  align Nigerian sea ports with international best practices and strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness in global maritime trade.

Speaking during the recent 5^th Journalng port industry town hall meeting held in Lagos, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, reiterated that vital port services such as  vessel pilotage, marine operations, vessel traffic management, exit gate management/control  are already operating around the clock at major hubs such as the Lagos Ports Complex and Tin Can Island sea Ports.

Represented by Lawal Ibrahim, Port Manager of Lagos Ports Complex (LPC), Dantsoho said  “These continuous operations are supported by rotational shifts for pilots and marine crews, as well as digital systems such as automated billing and the Eto electronic call-up system, which streamlines truck scheduling and cargo movement while implementation of the Port Community System (PCS), is at advanced stages”

The NPA Boss clarified that the PCS as a unified digital platform is designed to integrate all port stakeholders for seamless data exchange, real-time processing of documents and visibility of all such documentation to agencies involved in the cargo clearing  process-noting that when fully deployed, the PCS will further enhance the efficiency of 24-hour port operations.

He however listed infrastructural gaps and security related issues, which are being tackled  as factor affecting  full 24-hour operations across all Nigerian ports as lighting and other provisions must be in place to effectively enforce 247 sea port operations successfully

“The NPA is collaborating with the Nigerian Army, Navy, Police, NIMASA and other  government agencies to strengthen maritime security and ensure safe movement for operators and regulators in Nigeria” Dantsoho said,

Dantsoho emphasized that NPA will continue to play its role in facilitating maritime trade in Nigeria, conform to global best practices and enhance national competitiveness even as  NPA is unwavering in making its operations efficient, responsive and technology-driven.

In his welcome address, Ismail Aniemu, publisher of Journalng, stressed the importance of Nigerian seaports operating 24 hours for Nigeria’s economic transformation.

He noted that with government commitment to infrastructure development, Nigeria’s seaports could become the hub of shipping activities in the sub-region.

Other participants and speakers at the Journalng Port Industry Town hall meeting called on the federal government to fast track 24hrs port operation to advance Nigeria’s economy.

Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Consultative Council,     NPCC, Mr. Bolaji Sunmola,  emphasized that Nigeria’s seaports, which handle over 85% of the nation’s external trade, are underperforming due to infrastructural decay, bureaucratic delays, fragmented regulatory systems and limited operational hours.

He cited global examples like Singapore, Rotterdam; where ports operate round-the-clock, resulting in faster vessel turnaround, optimized cargo flows and lower costs for consumers. In contrast, Nigeria’s restricted hours lead to nightly losses and higher logistics expenses.

Maritime stakeholders were unanimous that Nigerian ports if operationalized to operate 24hrs, the boost to the Nigerian economy could be unimaginable.