Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman has denied reports of alleged political motivation in the termination of the Boats Pilotage Monitoring and Supervision agreement with Oil and Gas Logistics Firm, Intels Nigeria Limited.
According to Bala Usman, the contract was terminated based on alleged refusal of the management of Intels to remit $145,849,309.33 into the Federal Government account.
Explaining further on a Radio Programme on Monday monitored by City Business News (www.citybusinessnews.com), Bala Usman said: “The policy is not politically motivated. When you start implementing policy, people take positions. The contract was terminated after the elections”.
NPA, in a March 29, 2019 letter, terminated its boats pilotage monitoring and supervision agreement with Intels based on Article 8 (C) of its February 11, 2011 agreement with Intels.
NPA accused Intels of failing to remit $145,849,309.33, being outstanding service boat revenue generated from November 1, 2017 to last October 31 into the Treasury Single Account (TSA).
But Intels denied the allegation, claiming that NPA owed it more than $750 million.
Bala Usman who spoke on Sundry issues during the interview on Monday appealed to the Lagos and Ogun State Governments to make land available for trailer parks in the overall interest of the public.
Bala Usman said: “I will perhaps be the first visitor to the incoming Governors of Lagos and Ogun State”, adding that the Authority had resolved to work with all stakeholders to tackle the gridlock along the Ports access roads.
According to the MD, a MoU was signed recently with APM Capital as part of measures to tackle the gridlock.
Meanwhile, the 72-hour Presidential order for articulated vehicles to vacate the Ports access roads which expired on Saturday afternoon had improved traffic on the roads.
The task force’s Vice Chairman and leader of the enforcement, Kayode Opeifa, explained that the entire Western Avenue area and the adjoining bridges had been cleared.
