Business
Port Operator Urges NPA To Reverse Berthing Directive
Ports and Terminal Operators Nigeria Limited (PTOL) has appealed to Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) to reverse its directive to all vessels carrying oil and gas related cargoes to berth only at Intels Terminal. The PTOL is one of the port concessionaires.
The Managing Director of the terminal, Mrs Elizabeth Ovbudu, told journalists in Lagos last Monday that the decision was not favourable to other operators and negated the concession agreement.
It was gathered that the NPA had directed vessels carrying pipes and other oil and gas related cargoes to berth only in Intels terminals in Onne, Rivers.
She said that the NPA’s directive was contained in a circular with reference number EP/AGM/OPT/034 and dated March 18, 2013.
She said that a terminal operator had taken the issue to the law makers because the problem was promoting monopoly.
Ovbudu said that the House of Representatives Committee on Marine Transport gave an order to NPA to maintain status quo in its dealing with concessionaires, but NPA had not complied.
She said that the Chairman of the House Committee, Mr Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, had said that there was no justification for placing restriction on the type of cargoes calling at PTOL.
She said it was worrisome that only the port, located in Eastern Zone, was given such priviledge.
Ovbudu said that some terminals were almost grounded as the few vessels that were supposed to berth were going to Intels terminal.
She said that during the public hearing, organised by the committee, it was clearly stated that PTOL was licensed as a multi-purpose terminal and could handle all cargoes.
Ovbudu could not disclose the amount that each terminal had been losing as a result of the decision, but said it would affect port equipment and infrastructure.
She said that the restriction of cargoes would lead to closure of companies by service providers and sack of workers.