NPA opts to remove wrecked vessels obstructing Intels activities in Onne
Respite will come the way of the core investor in the Onne Free Zone, Intels as the Board of Directors of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has decided to clear wrecked vessels disrupting its operations in the Eastern ports.
The Chairman of the Board, Mr. Emmanuel Adesoye, disclosed this on completion of a facility tour of Onne Port by the Board members on Thursday.
The abandoned vessels obstructing the operations of Intels belong to a company whose operations had been taken over by Assets Management Company (AMCOM).
He said that the management of NPA would try to move all abandoned vessels in various terminals to safe anchorage to improve the operations of concessionaires and increase government revenue.
While suggesting for Intels to dialogue with NPA and the owner of the abandoned vessels to see if there would be alternative ways of evacuating them, Adesoye said NPA would also consult to seek ideas on how to go about it.
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Intels, Mr Adamu Abubakar, urged the Board members of NPA to assist the company to access all spaces allocated for its operations in Calabar port.
He urged the Board to look into the activities of some private jetty operators who were struggling for cargoes that belong to Intels.
According to him, “Intels pays six dollars per tonnage while other operators pay one dollar per tonnage.
“Intels paid 10.3 million dollars for entry fee for oil and gas cargoes, while other operators paid between 1.1 to 2 million dollars as entry fee to operate general cargoes.
“The jetty operators who paid entry fees for general cargoes are not struggling oil and gas cargos with Intels.
Intels had invested at the Federal Lighter Terminal and also awarded concession for FLT B and Federal Ocean Terminal A in Onne as well as Terminal B in Warri and Terminal A Calabar for 25 years, which were renewable.
Abubakar said that Intels Nigeria Ltd. had concession agreement from 2005 to 2031 on consolidated lease agreement in FLT B, Warri New Terminal, Warri Old Terminal and Calabar Port Terminal A. Intels an indigenous private company of 85 per cent shares and expatriate share of 15 per cent.
