Experts Advised FG To Repricate Benin Republic Port Community System Model.
Experts Advised FG To Repricate Benin Republic Port Community System Model.
Some experts in the Nigerian maritime sector have advised the Federal Government to repricate the Webb Port model of port community system being used in neighbouring Benin Republic.
During the 2023 JournalNG Port Industry Town Hall meeting in Lagos, the experts agreed that the Webb Port model has proven to enhance national security, improve revenue collection and promote trade at the seaport, airport and land borders.
Giving an insight into the workings of the Webb Ports in Benin,the General Manager Technical, Vlad Ionescu and Lanre Balogun, A manager in charge of installation at Webb Fontaine Nigeria Limited said the Port Community System has achieved seamless interactions between systems used by the port authority, customs and terminal operators from data exchange and logistics through billing and payment.
Balogun further said all port processes under the Webb Ports regime enjoy speedy processing from electronic manifest declaration through electronic payment of all duties and fees; space booking for delivery and loading preparation; e- release for cargo exit authorisation and cargo movements management and follow up.
According Balogun, his company has trained 8,137 persons in Benin from 2018 to 2022 and has 6,624 users of the system that has helped Benin Republic Customs achieve 97 percent increase in customs revenue collection between 2016 and 2022.
He added that the PCS is active at Cotonou Port, Cotonou Airport and six land borders of Hilla Condji, Krake Plage, Malanville, Parakou, Iloua and Tchicandou.
He said the contract entered with Benin Ministry of Finance has contributed immensely to the port efficiency in the country easing trade. He listed trucking companies, banks, stevedores, customs brokers, shipping agents,inspection authorities and others are maximizing the benefits of the Webb Ports system.
