Expert canvasses full digitalisation of Nigerian ports

The Chief Executive Officer, Professional Shipping and Logistics Limited, Mr Francis Odukoya, has said there is a need for the digitalisation of port operations.

Odukoya who said this in an exclusive chat with our correspondent during the 10th anniversary of PSL, added that handing things electronically would ensure smooth and faster operations.

He also said digitalising port processes would attract foreigners to invest in the nation’s ports and expressed hope that the country was now trying to improve on exportation.

He said, “The government and parastatals that are involved in ports management need to come up. The era where we do physical things at the ports has passed; things are being done electronically, smooth and fast now. Right now, we are trying to improve on export so that the economy can begin to earn some forex which will help to balance our trade. And if that happens, then we will begin to move on but that means we have to focus and improve on that. All those parastatals should come up with computerised and digitalised systems. From Customs to other agencies, they need to digitalise systems and make them work smoothly and seamlessly. These are the things that when the foreigners check and see we are still running on physical examination or half hazard examination then, it is not working.”

The PSL boss noted the non-availability of forex as one of the major challenges the sector was currently facing.