…Wants guidelines published in different Nigerian languages
Following the initial hitches witnessed in the first one week of implementation of the electronic call up system for trucks, the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) has called on the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) not to give up on constant sensitization of the project until it becomes a success.
The President, APFFLON, Otunba Frank Ogunojemite who made the call in a chat with Primetime Reporters in Lagos on Monday observed that the e-call up system which was introduced by the NPA was a welcomed development which should be supported by all rather than sabotaging it.
He said, “What I found out is that people love to be stagnant in Africa, that is why there is no development. We should embrace change and make it work. Of course, whenever there is an innovation, there is always room for improvement and we should be prepared to work with them (NPA) to make improvements.
“I know some people working against the efficiency of the call up system because the cabal that do sharp practices over there would not want the gridlock to go. But we need to appeal to them (NPA) and the government to implement this policy and be straight forward on this otherwise; things will remain as they are in this country.
“Obviously, if you look at the place of the truck owners because I am part of the victims that paid over one million Naira from the port to the mainland and of course, I had an issue with my client who I have charged N300,000 for the same distance before. So, that is why I said that government should implement its policy, it needs intelligence to make things work. You cannot just be shouting on the road to get the culprit.
“Let there be town hall meetings to sensitize the people, get in touch with different association, let them communicate with our members, with that, people will better understand the project.
“The call up system can be published in different Nigerian languages, if you cannot speak English, publish it in Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba as well as other major languages because what we need is communication. This is important because most of the truck drivers don’t speak English and we must have a way to educate them. Publish these things in different languages, communicate with them, speak to their unions, engage stakeholders and it is going to work.”
Photo: APFFLON President, Otunba Frank Ogunojemite.
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