Mr. Jama Onwubuariri, the managing director of the TTP Ltd.
Story by Dili Utomi.
The Trucks Transit Parks Limited is the implementor of the Nigerian Ports Authority and the Trucks Transit Parks Limited collaborative efforts which has led to the introduction and execution of the eto traffic software application and which has ultimately led to the drastic reduction in the hitherto well known traffic gridlock in and around Apapa, also the reduction in the attendant problems of violent extortion that characterised same and all other social and economic problems that have over time been symptomatic of the traffic situation around our Ports areas.
It is in the light of the apparent results as recognised by truckers and road users alike and as enumerated above that we approached the managing director of the TTP Ltd, Mr. Jama Onwubuariri to give an insight into the operations of the company and its plans into the future, he was delighted to speak with us.
Mr. Onwubuariri said that in the past fifteen months, the NPA/TTP collaboration has basically worked to control traffic within and around the Ports area, noting that the software platform, ETO has been designed as a traffic scheduling and management platform. Mr. Onwubuariri said that the software application works by incorporating all trucking companies into an electronic fold where every information about their trucks are used to create a platform for the trucks along with the information on the drivers so that all information can be uploaded and accessed when and as needed. He said that with these the electronic processing of the information on them is complete and can be used to tie to every truck to all trucking facilities around, make payments and access all pre-gate and Ports facilities as needed and this makes the job of the traffic management easier.
Trucks at the pre-gate parks of the lily pond truck park waiting their turn to leave to the ports for the evacuation of cargoes.
Mr. Onwubuariri said that what has been the great effect of the efficiency of the eto application is the massive reduction in the cost of the movement of goods from one area to the other within and around Lagos State. He noted that the cost of moving a 40 foot container has dropped from #1.2m to #600k and even less and that depending on the cargo and distance, you can now pay as little as #200k or less to move your cargo out of the Ports. He also said that the issue of the extortion regime and the reported cases of intimidation by some security personnel has been almost totally removed from the system.
On the issue of the installed CCTV cameras which had some hick-ups and technical malfunctions at inception, Mr. Onwubuariri said that though everyone knows that Rome was not built in a day, the issue of the installed CCTV cameras has been dealt with and that it was only a temporary draw back which was occasioned by its initial operation, but that everything is working very well now.
We asked the MD about the fact that some truckers are having a no love lost relationship with them and what their intentions for these sets of people are, he said that even though there were initially a few truckers who did not want to buy into the eto application software solution, but that right now a lot more are coming on board owing to the nice effects that their operations have had on traffic control and the general business environment. He also said that that they have continued to emphasise on the qualities of equity and fairness and are always in the forefront of organising meetings and conversations between them, the governments and truckers. He added that they are promoting better understanding of their roles in order to bring more people on board to continue to solve the known traffic problems and provide innovations in the industry. He also said that they are opened to ideas and suggestions on ways of improving things.
On the plans for the future, the amiable but serious minded managing director said that they have a new application software called Tafiyah which means movement in Hausa, it is likened to a taxi hailing application software, but meant for trucks only. “It works by providing the information about trucks within an area, their availability, driver and distance and which a user can easily call or send message to and in very little time, have access to these trucks to evacuate their cargoes. This is all meant to reduce the time frame in doing business within the Maritime environment and also ultimately reduce cost”. He also added that there are plans to invest in other services in the future and that the company is expected to reposition its operations in such a way as to provide all its services nationwide.
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