Story, Louvier Kindo Tombe
When David arrived the customs control post in Kribi, he was shocked to discover that the custom officers had complete knowledge of the goods he just cleared from the port. Little did he know that the Port Authority of Kribi had introduced an automated management system. “Operations at the port are not the same again”, David said.
The digital management system known as the Port Information System (PIS) has drastically changed operations at the Port.
Thanks to the software introduced since 2020, and which is at the heart of operations, there is automatic data sharing with the different sections and sectors that intervene in the port such as consignees, shipping agents, stevedores, concession holders, customs, GUCE among others.
“When a request is made at the port, the entire port community is immediately informed and the request is being treated simultaneously by all those concerned,” says Paul Elomo, from the Communication and Public Relation Unit of PAK.
He was speaking in Yaoundé on August 29, 2024 during a “Digital Meet” event where bloggers and cyber journalists had the opportunity to browse the digital prowess of the company.
“The objective of the digital meet event was to present the digital services of the port to online media practitioners so that we can devise strategies of working together for the port to contribute actively in the country’s economic and digital development,” says Jonathan METOTE, head of the Communication and Public Relations Unit of PAK.
The Yaoundé meeting was preceded by a similar meeting in Douala chaired by Habib IYA, scribe of PAK in the economic capital – Douala.
PAK, leader of digital communication in Central Africa
The vision of the Port Authority of Kribi is to become a leader in digital communication in Central Africa. That explains why all operations are done online and at same time.
The PIS has contributed in dematerializing port procedures thus improving performance in every segment of operations.
With its vision of “Smart Port, Attractive Business”, PAK is gradually positioning itself as a veritable hub for import export.
In only six years of existence, PAK has upgraded its security system with delivery and clearance operations now ensured in total transparency and rapidity. This has earned the port an ISPS certification.
Thanks to the PIS software, access to the port is now streamlined, thereby providing enough information about requesters and their reasons for accessing the port.
During the digital meet events, participants were told that PAK no more lays emphasis on some material proofs, like physical receipt that used to be demanded from clients among others.
The excellent stride in digitalization has helped PAK in predictions, and the company is improving its skills with the use of AI, Big Data, and 5G network just to name these few digital services.
(Photo credit: PAK)
