At a time about four Federal Government agencies are tactically working on INTELS Nigeria Limited, a logistics firm linked to former Vice president, Atiku Abubakar, to do the needful while carrying out its business, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), has honoured the company with the ‘Most Outstanding Terminal Operator in Corporate Social Responsibility’ Award.
INTELS had in the last few months come under serious scrutiny by four federal agencies including the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and Oil & Gas Free Zone Authority (OGFZA).
The NSC gave the award during its Stakeholders Appreciation Night held in Lagos recently, saying INTELS had uplifted several individuals, families, the host communities through its CSR, and most importantly been a strong player in the nation’s maritime logistics sector.
Since the award, analysts picked holes in the act, saying the award to INTELS at a time like this may cost some top officials in the agency their jobs if care is not taken. To many that reviewed the award, Shippers’ Council would have stepped it down and watch as events unfold at INTELS than making other agencies look senseless after all.
Industry observers say the remarks of the Executive Secretary of NSC, Mr. Hassan Bello who commended INTELS for what he described as huge investment and commitment to ports development in the country needed more explanation when placed side by side with all the issues raised by NPA, OGFZA, NIS, and FIRS in the last two months.
