INTERVIEW: Terminal Inefficiency, Multiple Checkpoints Hamper Truck Movement – Mohammed , Secretary General ,AMATO
Persistent congestion on port access roads remains one of the major challenges confronting haulage operators, with terminal inefficiency, multiple checkpoints and alleged extortion identified as factors affecting the smooth movement of trucks into the ports.
In this interview, Mr Bala Mohammed, Secretary General of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO), speaks with Hannah Tedunjaye on the role of the Electronic Truck Call-Up System (ETO), extortion, traffic management, challenges created by truck operators and the factors influencing haulage rates.
Q: Traffic congestion on the port access road has been one of the greatest challenges of haulage operators. How is ETO addressing their needs?
As far as I am concerned, ETO has had addressed the chronic chaotic gridlock and restored orderliness and sanity along the ports access roads. Eto has nothing to do with what is happening along the ports access roads The gridlock we see on the access roads is largely a result several factors beyond control of the call up system.
Firstly slow terminals operations or terminal inefficiency is among factors responsible for gridlock visibility along ports access roads.
Once a terminal requests trucks from the pregate parks, the Truck Transit Park (TTP) releases the trucks requested by the terminal. Those trucks are supposed to go straight into the port without stagnating along access roads. However , sometimes, because of slow terminal operations, you see a gridlock of trucks released from the truck parks along the road between the parks and the ports.
Secondly, we have multiple checkpoints where trucks are stopped for checks. Due to activities at those checkpoints, we start having traffic build up.
Q: Since the establishment of the task force by the Nigerian Ports Authority, how has the incidence of extortion reduced?
The task force is working, especially along the Apapa and Tincan ports corridors. They are moving around to checkmate the activities of extortionists and those parking trucks indiscriminately, causing gridlock affecting ports bound trucks, businesses and other road users
Where there is an established case of extortion, the task force investigates and takes the necessary action.
We are therefore calling on members of the trucking community: if they see something, they should say something regarding extortion of their drivers at any checkpoint for urgent action. If anybody has a case of extortion, they should not hesitate to escalate it to the appropriate channels.
All the unions are also part of the task force formed Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Doctor Abubakar Dantsoho. We have the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Maritime Workers Union (MWUN), The Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) , National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), ANLCA among others.
We urge any member of the trucking community who has experienced extortion and has evidence to come forward and report it so that necessary action can be taken.
Q: What is being done to ensure traffic orderliness around the ports?
The Apapa Port Manager, Adebowale Lawal Ibrahim, the traffic manager Mr Jimoh Imonikhe, PSO Bukar Kaumi and the head of the task force, Mr Akindele, the Police and their counter parts in Tincan Ports are working around the clock to ensure traffic orderliness and seamless evacuation of cargo.
They are also making sure that there are no obstructions to the movement
trucks to and from the ports in collaboration with the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, (LASTMA)
We are calling on members of the trucking community to cooperate with traffic controllers to promote orderliness and sanity.
Q: Which government agency creates the highest impediment to haulage operators?
In every agency, there are good and bad eggs. The same applies to members of the trucking community.
The good and bad elements within the trucking community and the enforcement teams are the ones causing some of these problems.
From our side, we continue to sensitise our members to comply with the standard operating procedure governing the call-up system so that there will not be problems.
Q: The cost of haulage that used to be high seems to be going down. What is responsible for this?
Haulage rates are determined by the forces of demand, supply for trucks and high cost operations. The cost of diesel, cost of returning empty containers to holding bays, cost spare parts, insurance, government fines, money spent at checkpoints, etc. affect haulage rates. To enable us survive in business and to serve our clients efficiently, we review our haulage rates in line with adverse operational realities in the business environment.
Q: What would you say is the major solution to the persistent congestion?
There has to be better coordination among the terminals, truck operators, enforcement agencies and other stakeholders.
Terminals need to improve their operational efficiency, while unnecessary checkpoints and activities that delay trucks should be addressed.
Truck operators, on their part, must comply with the call-up system and other established procedures of accessing the ports.
