The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) said that new contractors would take over the provision of the boats pilotage monitoring and supervision services that was erstwhile provided at the Exclusive Economic Zone, Onne in Rivers State by Intels Logistics Nigeria Limited.
The Managing Director of the NPA, MS Hadiza Bala Usman, disclosed this at a media parley with newsmen in Lagos, while fielding questions on developments on a number of issues at the affecting the agency.
She stated that since INTELS served the Authority with a seven-day ultimatum following the termination of its contract, there would be a transparent process to get another contractor on board to handle the services.
She said “We have responded to their letter because they gave us an ultimatum and we have reiterated that we stand by the advice of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) .We will follow a transparent process to ensure that the services being handled by INTELS is handed over to another contractor,” she said.
Restating the NPA’s position in the feud with INTELS, the NPA boss said the singular problem had been due to INTELS ’ refusal to comply with the Federal Government’s directive for it to make payments into the NPA account as demanded for implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA).
“This discussion with INTELS on the need to comply with the TSA started about fifteen months ago, from June 2016 to date. Letters had been written, meetings held regarding for INTELS to comply, but INTELS had continuously refused to comply.
“They refused to make payments to the NPA account. They maintained that payments for pilotage services must come to their coffers. While it is stated in the constitution that all revenues due to the Federal Government should go to the Consolidated Revenue Account of the Federal Government, INTELS want to collect monies, deduct what they want and give government the balance. But that is not how it works. That structure cannot sustain government’s implementation of the TSA,” Usman said.
While stating that the NPA desires a level-playing field for all interested operators, the MD added that the NPA would ensure Intels gets what is due it when reconciliations are made. She also gave assurances that workers with skill sets at Intels would be absorbed by any organization that takes on the service provision.
Speaking on the scrapping of the zonal structures, the she said the decision was made to remove undue bureaucracies, which did not enhance operational efficiency.
She also cleared the air about the establishment of truck holding bays and trailer garages. She said: “The NPA will not be constructing any holding bays or trailer garage. The NPA will only be granting licensing for operators of holding bays to use a call-up system with the NPA.
“So, we are calling on private sector to develop holding bays and trailer garages, and obtain their license from us to enable the trucks that are parked on the road to have access of the location.”
She, however, lamented the refusal of a company which indicated interest in the development of a holding bay, to give a detailed outline business plan as requirement for ICRC to give any form of approval for a Public Private Partnership (PPP).
She addressed the issue of the port access roads construction, saying that the interest of the NPA as she had expressed to the Minister for Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Raji Fashola, is for immediate attention to be given to all access roads leading to all the ports, and not just those of Apapa and Tincan Island Ports in Lagos.
According to her, Fashola also expressed interest in reconstructing the ports’ access roads, but cited the need for budgetary processing as cause of delays.
“The minister said that he had made provisions for such requests, but that some of these have to go through budgetary processing. On that ground, it got to a stage where the NPA had to provide N1.8 billion funding for the construction of the Wharf Road because it was directly our concern,” The NPA MD added.
She also disclosed that the NPA has channeled all documents with written letters to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for appropriate actions regarding members of staff who were indicted in a corruption case involving 100 buoys.
The NPA will however have to purchase buoys needed for safe navigation on the port channels, Ms Bala Usman said.
