The Ports & Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML), a concessionaire in Nigerian port, said it has invested over N100 million to develop a state-of-the-art access control and operational management system in its terminal, to authenticate the credentials of port users and facilitate trade in the terminal.
PTML, one of the largest RoRo terminals in West Africa, which is located at the Tin-Can Island Port, handles a large chunk of cars that come into Nigerian port.
PTML, which is concession to Grimaldi Agency Nigeria on build, operate and transfer (BOT) agreement, takes very seriously, its obligations to the provisions of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS), in order to provide safe and secured business environment for all actors in the terminal.
“The aim of the access control measures we have is to control the flow of persons into our terminal through designated access points by enabling scanning of cards to gain access. It ensures that only authorise persons can transit through our restricted areas and we have developed this system in compliance to the ISPS Code and strictly in adherence to all relevant Nigerian regulations in line with the provisions of Customs and Excise Management Act (CIMA), said Steve Oko, Admin manager of PTML during an interactive session with BusinessDay in Lagos on Tuesday.
Oko said that the access control and identification management system has became very critical to PTML because of the peculiarity of its business, which attracts a huge number of touts claiming to be clearing agents and freight forwarders. “They constitute serious security threat to all governmental authorities, staff and other legitimate players working in the port.
Reacting to the accusation that PTML initiated the access control to make money from freight agents, Oko said: “The fee of N10,000 is charge for the first time an agency is registering with us and it entitles it to register seven persons. We do not register an individual rather we register a corporate entity like a clearing and forwarding agency.”
“By using our biometric access card, the whole process of cargo release is facilitated and secured such that a registered Customs agency does not have to show scores of documents to take delivery of its consignment from our port. Rather, once an agency is registered with us and presents a Bill of Lading, it will not provide any other document or ID to do business with us,” Oko explained.
Oko further said that the biometric card is a one-stop-shop that gives the port user access to transact business with the terminal without delay. “As access is granted, it immediately hit both delivery and release sections to confirm that the person is a genuine agent from the agency that owns the cargo. This is why our delivery process is usually very quick.”
He listed the requirements for issuance of the card to include a valid Customs accreditation, Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) document, letter of introduction from the bank, evidence of existing addresses, valid NCS Form C30 and N10,000 for first time registration.
“This means that upon renewal of the access card, it is issued for free because it is renewed every year as the agency renews its Customs license and NCS Form C30,” he added.
MAKA ANAGOR-EWUZIE
