By Alli Folashade Temitope
Following incessant complains and delays by port users using the Nigerian Ports, the Nigeria Ports Authority(NPA) has introduced an E-payment system of revenue collection to give a boost to its operations.
The initiative is designed to seek ways of improving the revenue of NPA without compromising its efficiency and benefits to its numerous customers.
Speaking at the one-day sensitisation forum held in Lagos yesterday, the NPA Managing Director, Mallam Abdullahi Habib said the Electronic platform which was developed by interswitch will help block all revenue leakeages and increase vessel turn around time in the nations ports.
In his words “this E-payment platform will Automate and integrate our various Ports nationwide using the same information technology platform, thereby improving efficiency and reducing manual intervention in our processes.”
He stressed that the E-payment will help the authority invest in massive infrastructural renewal and development geared to attract sail of larger vessels.”
Habib noted that the initiative is designed key into the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan, the management of NPA under his leadership introduced E payment initiative to address the payment challenges faced by Stakeholders and customers in the business relationship with the agency.
Also speaking, the Executive Director, Finance and Account, Olumide Oduntan, said the earlier system used by the authority was time consuming and inefficient for ports Operation.
“We want to encourage efficiency in the system, reduce the turn around time of vessel significantly from four days to a day. We also hope to help our customers reduce cost o of demurage and reduce the overall cost of doing business in our ports.
Reacting to the possible challenges that may be encountered in the course of the new system, he said “we won’t say there won’t be challenges because with transaction like this we may experience challenges, but the good thing is that we have mechanism in place to solve the challenges”.
“We are not the first to use this system, it has been tested and deployed in other parastatal and it has worked.”
Also speaking, the first customer Mr. Kola Owoeye who confirmed the new system noted that it has reduced waiting time especially on payment confirmations.
“The total cost in time has reduced with this new platform; within an hour authorisation of payment is confirmed and the total cost of doing business is reduced. I believe more efficiency and profitability will come with the system, He said”.
Corroborating him, the PortHarcourt Port Manager of the Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA), Mrs. Caroline Ufere said the new system will remove challenges they often encounter with the shippers.
In her words “The new system will really help us to remove the challenges we have with shippers as well as the waiting time and stress on both parties”.
However, she noted that their customers will welcome the new system and with the effort of all concerned stakeholders they will work to understand the system.