The pioneering efforts of Intels Nigeria Limited in the infrastructural development of the nation’s ports in the spirit of the Private-Public partnership of the Federal Government of Nigeria have been commended by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and safety agency (NIMASA).

The commendation was made by the Eastern Zonal Coordinator of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mr. O.A. Abass last Wednesday during a working visit he made with his management team to the Corporate Head Office complex of the company at the Onne Oil and Gas Free zone. He acknowledged the existing collaboration between both organisations and requested that it should be strengthened further, adding that NIMASA is not only concerned about the administration of Nigeria’s maritime sector but also very interested in monitoring the various flags of all vessels calling in the nation’s territorial waters to ensure the safety of our waterways.

Speaking further, Mr. Abass noted that Intels has taken giant strides aimed at taking our nascent maritime sector to another level, especially in the visible efforts being made by the company in the installation of security control posts and monitoring devices within their concessioned facilities, in line with ISPS provisions.

The NIMASA boss requested for a documentary from Intels, which he said, will showcase them as a leader in the maritime industry, highlight their pioneering efforts and become a module for the use of other terminal operators in the country, adding that he will encourage other operators to take a cue from Intels.

In his speech, Mr. Sascha Kuchi, Intels General Manager, Operations who led other key management staff during the interactive session with NIMASA officials, thanked the team for their visit and stated that the company is not shirking in its commitment to remain a market leader in the provision of specialised logistics services to the Oil & Gas sector in Nigeria; adding that by the foresight and doggedness of the company and close partnership with relevant governmental agencies, over 150 companies are operating in the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone complex, adjudged as the single largest and fastest  growing Oil and Gas Free zone in the world.

He further informed the visitors that owing to the sensitive and specialised nature of the cargo handled in all the Niger Delta ports where Intels has a concession with the Nigerian Port Authority, the company has in May last year converted the crop of stevedores and maritime workers in its workforce into permanent workers thus completely erasing the idea of having casual employees. This, he stated, was to ensure that the workers are well trained with relevant skills needed for the sensitive operations in the Oil & Gas industry and improve the capacity building efforts of our people.

As part of the Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives of the company, Mr. Kuchi added that the company has recently invested substantial amount of money in the purchase of hybrid tractors and electric-powered cars in order to reduce the effects of gases and pollution in our environment, adding that no equipment in the fleet of Intels Nigeria Limited is more than ten years old.